Overview
Wealth
Thanasis has grown in wealth over the centuries thanks to the unrest between other nations. Dragon riders are handsomely paid to involve themselves in wars that have nothing at all to do with them. A thunder of dragons will finish a war in less than a day. Dragon eggs remain one of the most sought after things in
Arethil, but they are never sold by any worthy Thanasian, for dragons are far more valuable than any gold or treasure.
Human Population
Thanasis is the second largest human settlement known on the wild continent of Malakath, created by settlers from across the Unknown Sea. Upon learning of the twisted monsters that primarily roamed these lands, the founders took a staunch stance to keep it as a haven to the original settlers.
With their bonds to dragons, Thanasites have grown very arrogant about their own station in the world. They see themselves as superior to other
humans, especially those of
Thagretis, and are very hostile to outsiders.
Not all of the original settlers accepted the deal made with the Dragons and those of the Old Ways, whilst tolerated, are often looked down upon by those who worship the dragons.
Dragons
Alongside these humans, however, are the creatures to whom these humans owe their relative safety: dragons.
The dragons of Thanasis are not one particular breed or kind but an odd mix. Some breeds had been specifically curated by certain families for certain powers or traits or just simply because of their colour. Some races of dragons are not thought to be native to Malakath at all, but rather were brought from the unknown lands across the sea from where these humans originally hailed.
Types of dragons most common in Thanasis are:
- Ēarendel dragons; These dragons are the sturdiest of their kind, able to fly in any type of weather from ice to blazing sun. It is easy to spot these dragons due to their iridescent scales, and unique golden horns. These dragons are rather solitary and predatory to even one another, with females devouring their young if they are struggling to hunt and stories of males killing young to mate with the female.
- Black Dragons; Known to be one of the largest and most vicious breeds of dragon, black dragons are known for their dark scales which seem to absorb light, creating greater shadows for them to work in.
- White Dragons; One of the most common and sought after breeds in Thanasis, and thought to be one of the oldest, these dragons are natural all rounders with a unique affinity for magic. It is hard to predict what each dragon’s unique ability might be and scholars believe dragons are naturally drawn to riders with more of the Old Blood in their veins.
- Sun Dragons; Though not the fastest of dragons, nor the toughest, the gold-scaled sun dragons are living batteries of boundless energy. Their claws and teeth sear with terrible heat and light, and their bodies light the dark like glorious beacons. Sun dragons breathe focused beams of volatile plasma that few materials can hope to withstand.
- Red Dragons; Red Dragons are the most wild and chaotic of all Dragons. Rarely seen in the city proper, Red Dragons are incredibly difficult to train and control. More than once has a Red Dragon thought to be tamed gone on a rampant rage of destruction throughout Thanasis. They are prone to bouts of extreme violence and uncontrollable malice. Many think of Red Dragons as more trouble than they are worth, and no House chooses to breed them. Thus, their numbers have dwindled over the years.
- Sea Serpents; Wingless dragons who infest the surrounding seas of Thanasis. They can breathe underwater, but must come up for air once every six hours. It is thought in days of old their kind could control the weather.
- Feathered Dragons; The quickest dragons over short distances due to their unique composition. Some members of this species have been recorded at speeds that would suggest they are the fastest creatures on Arethil. They are, however, the smallest breed of dragon and only small children or women tend to be able to ride them.
- Blue Dragons; Despite the colour of their scales, Blue dragons are known for their ethereal green flame often referred to as Helfyre. Nothing known on the continent of Malakath has been known to withstand these flames aside from dragons scales, and even then only to varying degrees.
- Tsonye Dragons; Tsonye, the word for green in the local dialect, is a homage to the usual colour of these beasts scales. The Tsonye dragons are easily spotted due to the large, bulbous end of their tail. In the wild they would have used this tail in order to collapse the earth to create nests for themselves under the ground. Today, this ability has been weaponized for war, and the Tsonye Dragons now use it to cause damaging earthquakes.
- Meʻei Dragons; These dragons are unable to fly despite the presence of large wings, however that has not hampered this creature's evolution. With a long, spindly body and up to six legs, these dragons can sprint at impressive speeds and they produce a nasty poison that can leave even other dragons paralysed for up to three hours.
- Moon Dragons; One of the rarest breeds of dragons as their mating rituals and birthing only take place during certain phases of the moon, they have the ability to turn themselves almost entirely invisible due to the reflective nature of their scales.
- Ransa Dragons; One of the more peaceful breeds of dragons, their tears are believed to be able to cure most ailments. As such the Ransa dragons are often the most worshipped breed in Thanasis.
- Kesh Drakes; Mocked as more flying scorpion than Dragon, Kesh Drakes are only about the size of a large dog. Despite their diminutive size however, these creatures are no less Dragon than any of their cousins. Capable of quick manoeuvrable flight, Kesh Drakes are often used as messengers, carriers, and guardians. They are incredibly intelligent and often have a mischievous streak.
Known rare breeds:
- Jewelled Dragons: jewelled dragons tend to specialise in one of one of five precious gemstones: Topaz, Amethyst, Emerald, Sapphire or Rubies. Each gemstone has a unique specialism.
"Whilst dragons when bred purely tend to follow their species main characteristics to the letter, odd discrepancies are likely to happen - ironically due to inbreeding or because of stresses caused to the egg or, sometimes, odd throwbacks from generations gone. Whilst these are often looked down upon it is common these unique dragons provide the city with something it never knew it needed."
Scholar Lolai, On the Dragons of the 3rd Century
Lesser draconic species
Minor and Merchant classes have spent many years developing their own offshoots of the dragon breed, using other wild creatures native to Malakath. They're more commonly found in normal society being used for lesser military, transport, farming and sometimes pets.
These species are not seen in the same way as dragons despite their similarities. They are not worshipped, nor does possession of one merit for much in society. Unless, of course, proven otherwise.
The Riders Bond
People lucky enough to have their own dragon often describe something known as ‘the bond’. This bond is a mental link between rider and dragon that allows them to communicate to an extent. Whilst dragons cannot talk and act more on instinct than well calculated plans, a bonded pair can share a series of images, smells, and sounds that convey the meanings of words. It is thought that each bond and way of communicating is unique.
Most dragons tend to bond with a rider at their hatching and most of the Houses try to encourage the dragon to bond with a particular person; an heir, a favoured member of the family, a skilled warrior of their choosing, etc. Bonding a dragon at a young age to a rider makes them easier to train as they grow and is the easiest path to becoming a talented rider.
Some individuals are born at the same time as a Hatchling, and the uniqueness of such a situation usually results in a strong bond that can impact the growth of both human and dragonette.
Bonds can also be gained further on in life. However, for the most part this means that until a bond happens a dragon has been left to grow naturally. This means they can be wilder and more volatile and a connection between a rider and dragon can be more difficult to entrench.
Bonds can be passed between people. More often this occurs when a human is approaching death and will pass their bond on to a son or daughter. It is believed when a dragon survives the death of their bondmate without the bond being passed on it drives the beasts to insanity. Recently, with the remarkable happenstance of
Briseis and Ciraxis it has also been discovered a dragon can withdraw their bond and gift it to another human. This discovery has challenged the whole belief that humans are in control of the dragons.
This is not to say only the bonded can ride dragons; in times of war great warriors will ride dragons much like they would ride a horse. However these relationships are strictly for war purposes and they cannot communicate like bondmates, making it a much more tenuous union.
Hierarchy
Dragons
“The only might above ours are the Gods. So it is just as well it is we who have the power to control them.”
Dragons are the highest tier of society in Thanasis. Seen as gods, they are worshipped and treated with the utmost respect. There are several crimes and severe punishments for citizens who engage with dragons when they shouldn’t. These range from minor infractions like touching them without invitation or blood right, to the most severe crimes of stealing eggs or killing a dragon.
Royal Family
Though in most lands Kings and Queens are descendants of great conquerors, warriors, or leaders, this is not the case with Thanasis.
The Royal Family of the great dragon city comes not from those who set out to invade or take, but were instead chosen from the children of those sacrificed. When the great Shaman made his choice, and the dragons were to be kept alive with an offering of human life, it was those lives which birthed what would be the Kings and Queens of Thanasis.
Although this method might be seen as foolish for those in the west, those who gave their life to sustain the dragons were seen as closest to the Thanasian gods. Their gift allowed the people to survive, and it was their children who would best see that sacrifice honoured.
Thus, for as long as Thanasis has existed, so have the children of the chosen ruled it. Over the centuries the blood has naturally been co-mingled, often with sons and daughters of the Houses. Though more than once a Prince or Princess of the Blood has been married to a commoner who won their dragon through great acclaim.
Currently the Royal family is headed by King Vahid Aeldren and his wife Djana. Their eldest son Yuron stands first in line for the throne, and his siblings Ashraf and
Kaveh behind him.
The Royal Family do not breed their own dragons. However, it is traditional for the Great Houses to take turns donating an egg to the Royal Household. It is seen as a mark of great honour should one of the Houses eggs hatch for a royal member.
The Great Houses
There are thirteen Great Houses in Thanasis who make up the largest proportion of dragon owners in the city. Each house has a unique breed of dragon they are known to produce or court for their family members. The most powerful of these Houses also partake in particular spheres of city life, having dominance or large sway over certain matters like trade. The Thirteen Houses are:
- House Evreux - Breeders of the Ēarendel dragons.
- House Murizi - Breeders of Black Dragons
- House Sahar - Breeders of White Dragons
- House Solherre - Breeders of Sun Dragons
- House Vulcarys - Breeders of Kesh Drakes
- House Belavyor - Breeders of Sea Serpents
- House Nhalaryn - Breeders of Feathered Dragons
- House Volantaeris - Breeders of Blue Dragons
- House Araelor - Breeders of Tsonye Dragons
- House Celreos - Breeders of Meʻei Dragons
- House Malennis - Breeders of Moon Dragons
- House Saella - Breeders of Ransa Dragons
- House Laenaeris - Collectors and Tamers of Wyld Dragons
Whilst these are the current Great Houses, politics are volatile in Thanasis. The houses can swap and change depending on if they can no longer breed dragons, or a new race is found and bred. Those that fall from favour are known as Historic Seats. They are often perceived like a great noble family, with invitations to royal events and the ability to live within the Palace District, but their word does not carry as much weight as those who breed dragons. This often leads them to marrying into a current Great House in order to obtain that weight. Known Historic Seats are:
The Ascended
The Ascended hold a unique position in Thanasis. Not quite at the level of the Great Houses, yet considered to be above the minor houses, the Ascended are made up of individuals who have earned the right to become a dragon rider. Either they have taken part in ‘The Rising’ and won themselves a dragon egg through feats of strength, courage and cunning; or they have performed a great act which the Great Houses or Royal Family have deemed to have earnt the individual the right to a dragon.
The Ascended are charged with duties thought not suited to nobles such as military missions, guarding the Hatchery, training new riders, and caring for the young dragons.
Those who lead the Ascended are known as the High Ascended. These are people who have seen several years of active duty and now oversee the overall management of the Thunder of Thanasis.
The Thunder of Thanasis
The Thunder of Thanasis is a term used to refer to the riders and dragons who serve in Thanasis as outlined above. The order of command is as follows:
- The King
- Heads of Noble Houses
- High Ascended
- Riders of Noble Birth & Ascended
- Cadets
The Minor Houses
As well as the thirteen Great Houses there are seven Minor Houses. Minor Houses produce their own dragon-like species such as hydras, kirin and cockatrices. They often work together to inter-breed and create new species which can be used in different spheres of society. Their creatures are more available to the general population as pets, modes of transport, or work animals, and they breed accordingly.
The Army
Thanasis has amassed its great wealth through selling the use of its dragons in wars abroad, both on the continent and across the seas. However, there is little money to be made fighting in wars at home. The army of Thanasis is a brutal one and its members are used to harsh and extreme conditions. Their main focus is the defence of the Borderlands and stopping the monsters beyond the wall from breaching it.
Merchants
Merchants occupy a unique and privileged position in Thanasis. Due to the nature of how dangerous it is to travel these lands and the limited resources the lands of the city provide for a growing population of humans and dragons, Merchants are considered brave and valuable members of society.
Civilians
The rest of the population are ordinary citizens who occupy all manner of jobs. Some of the more prestigious ones are thought to be those which serve the dragons as stable hands or poo pickers.
Worship
Dragons are considered by the population of Thanasis to be Gods and the everyday person in Thanasis treats them with awe and wonder, especially as these creatures do not tend to walk the city often. However, despite there being such clear reverence for the dragons, due to the variety of breeds there is little in the way of organised religion with services and rituals. Instead, many visit the few dedicated temples and make offerings to the dragons that soar high above in the hopes of pleasing them, or pray to small shrines in their own homes dedicated to a Dragon God, selecting a particular dragon from history to worship or choosing a breed to worship depending on their needs.
Some worshippers are more zealous than others; at times over Thanasis’ history certain factions have become problematic and caused unrest or civil disturbances.