[Jaecarys]

dreams and dragons must be fed

Guardians of the Skies

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In the skies of Quenyi, dragons are embodiments of the jewel magic’s diversity and beauty, their forms as varied as the world itself. These magnificent beasts glide through the air, their presence commanding awe with shimmering scales or vibrant feathers, each dragon a masterpiece of individuality.

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APPEARANCE

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No two dragons in Quenyi are alike. Their bodies can be adorned with shimmering scales in any imaginable color—from iridescent silvers that gleam like starlight to deep, obsidian blacks that swallow the light around them. Some dragons are cloaked in feathers, their plumage soft yet powerful, ranging from fiery reds to soothing pastels. These feathered dragons often exude an avian grace, their wings cutting through the air with hypnotic fluidity.

The breath of each dragon is as unique as their appearance. When they unleash their fire, it reflects their distinct essence:

• A sleek, green-scaled dragon might breathe violet flames that shimmer like liquid crystal.
• A feathered violet dragon could unleash a torrent of jade-colored fire, curling like emerald smoke.
• A pale, silvery dragon might breathe ghostly blue fire, flickering like the edge of frostbite.

Dragons in Quenyi are forces of nature, unmatched in strength and the power of their fire. Reaching maturity between 5 and 10 years, they grow and eat rapidly during their voracious youth, though their appetite and metabolism slow significantly as they age. With lifespans ranging from 500 to 2,000, with the oldest alive being approximately 1,500, their dominance endures across centuries.

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INTELLIGENCE AND BONDING

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Dragons are creatures of immense intelligence and deep emotional capacity. Able to speak telepathically with their riders, their minds are sharper than any blade, and their instincts have been honed over countless generations.

Central to their existence is the bond they share with chosen individuals. While still in embryo, their souls can connect with the person they deem is right, sensing the person’s soul when they touch the scaled egg. Every few years, Bonding Festivals are held to celebrate the arrival of new dragon clutches. Dragons can only lay eggs every decade or so, making each festival a rare and cherished event. However, arranging these gatherings is no simple task. The king often finds himself in negotiations with his dragon aiding him. Since dragons can only communicate directly with their riders or other dragons, Solaris—or another willing dragon—must serve as the intermediary during these critical discussions.

The eggs come from The Dells, forest of towering pillars of stone, a sacred nesting ground near the capital. This area is where most festival eggs are laid, safeguarded by the dragon community. Some dragons arrive with specific eggs already chosen for bonding, their decisions resolute. Some years, however, they must be persuaded to offer more of their eggs for bonds, as many parent dragons still hold both fond and painful memories of riders from their own pasts.

While the festival is a celebrated tradition, it rarely involves dragons from the wilder regions of the country. These so-called "wild" dragons, unbonded and independent, seldom offer their eggs for human partnerships, choosing instead to raise their clutches free from human intervention. The Bonding Festivals, therefore, serve as a bridge between dragons and humans, solidifying the rare and sacred connections that define Quenyi's unique harmony.

It is typical that children will bond with a dragon at an Egg Ceremony during the Bonding Festival, but adults can bond as well. Once they bond with the egg, they must make the journey to Mountain End, a great volcano. There they must lay their egg in the molten stone, and it will hatch. Once the rider touches the dragon, the bond is complete. This connection, formed through mutual trust and understanding, transcends the physical. Some eggs will go centuries without bonding, until the right person touches the eggs. Dragon and rider can develop a unique language of gestures, roars, and subtle cues, communicating without the need for telepathy or spoken words, and can even share vision and images in their minds. Their bond is not automatic; dragons are selective, choosing riders whose hearts align with their values and who can match their strength of will.

To bond with a dragon is to become a partner in their mission of balance. It is a relationship built on mutual respect, with each member relying on the other for survival and purpose.

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Mother of All Dragons

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At the pinnacle of dragonkind stands Solaris, the matriarch and origin of all Quenyi’s dragons, bonded to the immortal jewel holder and king, Wulfric Rexanthe. Her vast size and ancient presence mark her as a creature of legend. Her golden scales shimmer like the first light of dawn, and her eyes burn with the intensity of the sun.

Unlike her descendants, Solaris is an anomaly—larger than any dragon, her flame a pure, dazzling white that is said to have sparked life into the first generation of dragons. Her influence is undeniable; dragons and humans alike look to her as a symbol of unity and purpose

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SOCIETAL ROLE

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Dragons of Quenyi are guardians of balance, tirelessly watching over the realm’s deserts, mountains, and seas. They serve as custodians of the natural world, ensuring that no force—whether human or elemental—throws the delicate ecosystem into chaos.

Their vigilance is not an act of divine will but a deeply ingrained duty. Without magic to guide them, they rely on their strength, wits, and the bonds they share with their riders. Together, dragon and rider work to mediate conflicts, quell natural disasters, and sometimes fight back against forces that would upset the harmony of Quenyi.

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CULTURE

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To the people of Quenyi, dragons are revered as symbols of strength, wisdom, and individuality. Feathers or scales shed by dragons are considered treasures, often fashioned into jewelry or amulets or even armor, thought to bring clarity and courage.

Legends of the first dragons, born of Solaris’ flame, are passed down through generations, inspiring tales of unity and perseverance. Riders, too, are celebrated, seen as the chosen stewards of the balance that keeps Quenyi thriving.

THE DRAGONS OF QUENYI

the sky above me, the earth below me, the fire within me