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.

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.

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.

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.

• Wyvern
• Hydra
• Cockatrice

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.

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:

1. House Evreux - Breeders of the Ēarendel dragons.
2. House Murizi - Breeders of Black Dragons
3. House Sahar - Breeders of White Dragons
4. House Solherre - Breeders of Sun Dragons
5. House Vulcarys - Breeders of Kesh Drakes
6. House Belavyor - Breeders of Sea Serpents
7. House Nhalaryn - Breeders of Feathered Dragons
8. House Volantaeris - Breeders of Blue Dragons
9. House Araelor - Breeders of Tsonye Dragons
10. House Celreos - Breeders of Meʻei Dragons
11. House Malennis - Breeders of Moon Dragons
12. House Saella - Breeders of Ransa Dragons
13. 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:

• House Thesius

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.

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.

Thanasis is situated on the North-Eastern peninsula of Malakath, protected by a spine of inhospitable mountains on one side, and the sea to the other. To the south, the land is a barren wasteland for many miles.

Built within the harsh environment of the desert mountains in Northern Malakath, Thanasis was a challenge to build. In the early years settlers used deep caverns within the mountains to shelter them from the sun and their enemies until they were able to secure the lands and start to build.

Dragons have been a part of Thanasis since the beginning and as such the city was built with their Gods in mind. Streets are wide enough for dragons to walk down with ease, homes were built of thick clay and stone not only to protect residents from the sun but also to support the weight of dragons should they decide to perch upon a rooftop. Many of the homes, especially those in the inner city, are also built with fire resistant materials and spells to preserve them in case of accidents.

Outer City
Pictured: The Western Outer City suburb of Pytoclys

The Outer City runs from the sea line to the Main Plaza and is a sprawling series of homes, businesses, and small farmsteads on the far reaches. This is where the main population of Thanasis lives. The positioning of homes appears random, however, the twisted streets are intentionally designed to make it hard for invaders by the sea to find their way to the inner city, and to slow the invaders down.

The Outer City is often broken down into suburbs, with some being more prosperous and well kept than others.


Inner City
Pictured: Typical street in the Inner City

The Inner City is nestled in the most protected section of the city, with the highest, most difficult to navigate section of the mountain range at its back, and a fortified city wall separating it from the Outer City. In times of invasion the great doors to the Inner City can be shut and fortified.

Due to the affluence of its residents, the Inner City is cleaner and more upmarket than the Outer City with a focus on beauty as well as practicality. Here it is a lot more common to see dragons wander the streets or sun themselves on the flat, large rooftops of people’s houses. There are even purpose built ‘shelves’ and ‘perches’ for the great beasts to make themselves feel at home.

Palace District
Pictured: The Palace District during the Wet Season

The palace and surrounding area is a small, insular city in itself. It is made up of the people who make the palace work, extended families of workers, and the extended royal family. Besides the main royal residence there are smaller palaces where lesser royal members such as uncles, cousins and in-laws take up residency, each with their own network of servants.

Main Plaza
Pictured: Main Plaza and the walls to the Inner City

The Main Plaza is where the two halves of Thanasis meet. It is often used for ceremonial events, announcements to the public, and executions. When the first settlers offered themselves as sacrifice to the dragons it was in this plaza that they were devoured. There are statues commemorating the first dragons and the sacrifices dotted amongst the columns that the people often use as shrines and places of worship.



Merchants' Corner
Pictured: Merchants' Corner during the Harvest Market

The Merchants' Corner occupies an ancient ruin in the Inner City believed to have once been the home of the Jarlax. The ruin gives the sector its own unique feel, making it almost a city within a city itself. Here people have claimed property and made permanent shops, but market stalls and tents also pop up from time to time with a change of wares. There is a constant hustle and bustle here because of the crowded streets. It’s one of the few areas of the city not designed for dragons.


The Royal Palace

Pictured right: The Hall of Honour, within the Royal Palace

Home to the Royal family and, in a way, a museum that protects and records the history of the people of Thanasis.
On select days of the year the royal family opens their home to the population so they can come and see some of this history for themselves.

Like most palaces, however, this one is bedecked with gems, marble and other riches. It is a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the Thanasian people and a natural wonder in itself.

Pictured left: One of the staircases found within the Royal Palace, created by Master Stonemason, Firyx



Hatchery
Pictured: blueprints for the hatchery

Located in the Palace District, from the outside the Hatchery looks very similar to a temple and, in contrast to the many palaces in the district, very simple. However this is a cover for the real treasures that lie deep beneath the ground: dragon eggs.

Those allowed within the Hatchery are limited, their visits recorded by the Keeper. Anyone visiting is also escorted round by one of the Ascended on duty.

The Hatchery is kept at incredibly high temperatures, as the eggs prefer, and there are different levels for the different Houses and their unique kinds of dragon eggs.


Ōmeyōcān
Pictured: The Lake Beneath the Mountains

Before the sprawling city of Thanasis was created, the people used to live within the large mountains that now protect their homes. When the mountain settlement was left, instead of leaving it to fall to ruin the Royal Family gave it over to the Ascended to use as they saw fit.

Today the Ascended use it as a place to live. Not quite fitting into the other Districts, many Ascended feel more at home within the Old City instead. Training of all dragon riders, including nobles, also takes place within Ōmeyōcān. With many of the tunnels leading to large, cavernous areas that act as arenas, and some unique spaces such as the indoor lake, it has become an efficient space for training riders in numerous lessons beyond simply riding a dragon.

It is not, however, just the Ascended and their dragons who call this place home. Other dragons who have hatched and are without riders, dubbed Wyld Dragons, also tend to call this separate city its home.

The Borderlands
Pictured: Artists depiction of Dragon Goddess Luthalarix defending the Borderlands against the armies of Thagretis

Though not technically in the city of Thanasis, the Borderlands are well worth a mention in key points of interest in regards to this civilisations history. The Borderlands is the name given to a large wall said to be formed by a combination of different dragon magics. Its compisition is not comparable to any other, though it closely resembles the same membrane born over the top of dragon eggs in order to keep them warm. The wall is, in effect, made of a living tissue that is harder than diamond.

This wall is manned constantly by the army, as well as a small group of Ascended and their dragons. It acts as a deterrent and first defence against Thanasis’ enemies.

Thagretis

Thanasis has a strained history with Thagretis, and though several wars have been fought between them in the past, they have managed to coexist in relative peace over the last two centuries. There is, however, a constant and simmering tension between the two. Thanasians see Thagretites as cultists and deplore the dragon blooded as abominations. Thanasis is on constant guard to protect their dragons and eggs from Thagretis as many have been stolen from them in the past.

Jarlax

The Jarlax are a race native to Malakath that once inhabited the area now known as Thanasis.

These creatures appear mostly humanoid with skin that tends to be shades of grey, green, or red. They have wide, gaping mouths with two rows of razor sharp teeth and long, barbed tongues. The Jarlax do not appear to have eyes and enjoy wearing the skulls of animals or victims over their faces. Beneath their masks the skin is smooth and puckered; it is believed that if a human were to gaze upon the eyeless face of a Jarlax it would induce their victim to be frozen with fear.

Jarlax are incredibly strong and quick. Their spot at the top of the food chain made them careless, but they learn and adapt quickly to an enemy's ways.

They are carnivorous and will hunt most anything, though they seem to have a preference for human flesh.

With their home territory set right against the large Borderland walls, they are Thanasis’ greatest enemies and a constant threat to their way of life.

Feast of Thunder

This festival happens annually on the anniversary of the first Thanasian hatching. The small desert tribe that occupied the mountains found and ensured the hatching of a lone clutch of three eggs by keeping their fires alive for one hundred days and nights until the scaled shells cracked open. Food was scarce then, and by instruction of the Shaman Varsaras, the hatchlings were gifted with three human sacrifices to ensure their survival. All of the dragons that currently live in Thanasis are descended from the three, and neither human nor dragon could have survived if not for the other.

The Rising

Residents of Thanasis without a dragon will often train their entire lives to take part in The Rising in an effort to win a dragon egg for themselves. The task itself is perilous, and difficult and dangerous challenges must be faced and endured in order to reach one of three eggs first. For those participating, acts of foul play/assault/murder are not punishable for the duration of the race. Many people die for the prospect of glory, but eternal respect is bestowed upon those who can successfully complete the challenge.

• The Great Crossing - When the first Settlers arrived in Thanasis.
• The Suffering - Not formally acknowledged as a war but instead classed as a massacre by historians, of the Thanasis people at the hands of the Jarlax.
• The Sacrifice of the Thirteen - To create the pact between dragons and humans, 13 men and women sacrificed themselves to the dragons in return for protection.
• The Wars of the Mountain - A period of history covering 200 years whereby dragons and the people of Thanasis fought to claim land back from the Jarlax and other monsters inhabiting the region modern Thanasis now covers.
• Age of Peace - The period of 100 years whereby no wars were fought and Thanasis began to be built.
• The Armada of Amun'Sul - Unsuccessful naval invasion by Amun’Sul resulting in the devastating loss of over three quarters of their naval force. Historians believe this miscalculated attack is the reason for the Amun'Sul Empire’s collapse.
• The Wars of Expansion - Not content with just the city, the people began to push beyond the mountains for space. This period covers roughly 500 years and is a period of history many favourite Tales of Legend come from.
• Jarlax Wars - Brutal, bloody wars seeing the loss of several smaller city states.
• The Breath of Dragons - The unique merging of different dragon magics, culminating in the creation of the Borderlands.
• Thagretis Wars - First hostilities between Thanasis and Thagretis lasting 20 years.
• Second Jarlax Wars - The uniting of Thanasis and Thagretis against the Jarlax resurgence.
• Second Thagretis Wars - Ongoing series of wars and periods of peace between the two human cities of Malakath. Some scholars believe this period has never truly ended.
• The Enlightenment - Period of flourishing arts, culture, science and building.
• The present

• https://chroniclesrp.net/threads/the-warmth-of-dragons.4668/
• https://chroniclesrp.net/threads/learning-never-exhausts-the-mind-lady-briseis.4761/#post-131394
• https://chroniclesrp.net/threads/shelter-beneath-the-wing.4651/page-2#post-131118
• https://chroniclesrp.net/threads/a-dragons-forgiveness.4739/#post-131187
• https://chroniclesrp.net/threads/dance-of-flight-and-fire.4687/#post-129285
• https://chroniclesrp.net/threads/enmity.4688/
• https://chroniclesrp.net/threads/how-to-train-your-dragon-avatar.4728/#post-131253