For those not born into wealth and houses, there are but two other ways to gain a dragon.
The first is rarer than a dragonseye topaz. It is wielded by mothers across these lands to make their children come to heel, and by generals to install pointless hope in their soldiers, but it is exceptionally rare. If any citizen of Thanasis commits an act of great bravery akin to the legends of heroes past, the King may feel fit to bestow upon them a dragon as a sign of Thanasis' gratitude to their actions. Over the years these occurrences have been so rare I can count them on one hand and the only man still living to have risen to the Thunder of Thanasis in this manor found himself bonded with a dragon so full of rage one has to wonder if the King hoped the dragon would erase him from the world of the living.
The other route, the one with more hope if less sense, is through The Rising.
It is believed this tradition was how the first of us came to bond the dragons and, in the dark corners of taverns, it is whispered to be the only way a person can truly become a rider. The Rising is no simple challenge though it is spoken of by the Houses as a 'game'. Based in the very heart of the Dragons home lands, the brave souls who put themselves forward for this challenge will find themselves pushed to the very limits of their being and beyond. The risk of death is almost guaranteed. But for those lucky few, for those worthy, the reward is beyond imagination...
- From The Introduction to The Rising: A Game Like No Other by Jahael Hrimshaw, winner of the 50th Rising
Thanasis is a harsh kingdom and its games are no different. You must survive the gruelling landscape of the Heartstead, your fellow competitors, and the judgement of dragons.
Will you join The Rising for the chance to call yourself a Rider of Thanasis? The rules are simple:
1. You may use what you can carry with you.
2. If you find one of the three eggs, touching it will transport you back to the Flight Grounds and you will be proclaimed a winner.
3. The only Law of Thanasis that stands is this - killing a dragon is punishable by death.
4. If you manage to convince a wild dragon to bond with you and survive the flight back to the Flight Grounds, you will be given a place in the Thunder of Thanasis.
5. All Riders serve Thanasis.
6. Only people born within the Thanasis Kingdom are allowed to participate, whether they be exile or honoured citizen.
7. The Rising lasts for three days. At the end of the three days a red flare will be sent into the sky. If you do not bond a dragon or find an egg within this time you must make your way back to Thanasis; the dragons will not bond with you after this sacred period.
8. You may enter The Rising as many times as you wish.
9. Any interference by those not participating in The Rising will result in the execution of participant and helper.
Please read over the Lore of Thanasis and the dragons native to these lands when making your characters and joining The Rising. If you have any questions join our channel room on Discord: Warmth of Dragons. We'll be able to answer any questions you have!
