Editing Draken History (section)

== The Clans of the Draken ==

=== Bone Clan ===

The Bone Clan is a fierce and relentless society, with the majority of its warriors being Drakelings, whose brutal strength and resilience shape the foundation of their way of life. Hardened by the scorching desert sands and deep ravines they call home, the clan thrives in an unforgiving land, where survival itself is a battle. Every day is a test of endurance, as they wage war against the merciless elements, deadly beasts, and even rival warriors.

To the Bone Clan, strength is the only law, and those who cannot fight, cannot lead, and cannot endure, are unworthy of their place. Their traditions are built upon the hunt, the kill, and the power claimed through conquest, a philosophy that has forged them into relentless dragon slayers, ruthless warriors, and masters of the wasteland. Among them, the weak are cast aside, and only the strongest rise to glory, their names carved into legend through blood and fire.

==== Warrior Ranks, Leadership and Titles ====

In the Bone Clan, a warrior's worth is measured by combat prowess and the beasts they have slain. Rank is not given, it is earned through blood, survival, and conquest. The journey begins with the title of Stalker, marking a Draken's rite of passage into adulthood. This is a brutal test where the warrior either kills or is killed, proving whether they are worthy of the Bone Clan.

Those who survive their first hunt ascend to Strider, a title granted to those who have proven themselves as skilled hunters of smaller draconic creatures. As warriors sharpen their skill in battle, they may rise to Colossus, a mark of those who have slain a formidable draconic beast, demonstrating not only strength but the ability to conquer the desert's most dangerous creatures.

However, true renown is reserved for those who attain the title of Dragon, granted only to those who have earned the right to join a dragon hunt and succeeded in slaying a true dragon. This rank signifies a warrior's ascendancy into the legendary hunters of the Bone Clan, proving themselves worthy of wielding weapons forged from dragon bone and donning the scales of their fallen prey.

Yet even among these elite warriors, there is one who stands above all, the Fanglord.

The Fanglord is the Warchief of the Bone Clan, chosen from the strongest Drakelings, the one who has slain the most formidable dragon in combat. This warrior is the undisputed ruler, leading the clan into battle, commanding the hunts, and forging the destiny of the Bone Clan.

However, strength alone does not guide their people, the Drakeling Prophet, a spiritual leader and battle-seer, stands beside the Fanglord, interpreting visions from the slain dragons' spirits and guiding the tribe's sacred hunts. Together, they form the duality of the Bone Clan, one ruling through strength and conquest, the other through prophecy and wisdom.

To rise through these ranks is to inscribe one's name in legend, for only those willing to carve their place in blood and fire will ever stand among the greatest hunters the Bone Clan has ever known.

==== Magic and Shamans ====

Though the Bone Clan values physical might above all, its shamans wield fire magic, believing that dragon fire carries a fragment of the beast's soul. To them, fire is not merely a weapon but a conduit, a force through which they channel the spirit of the dragon itself. By invoking this power, shamans call upon the wrath of the slain, unleashing blazing torrents against their foes and proving that even in death, a dragon's fury may still burn.

These shamans are more than just spellcasters, they are warriors, prophets, and spiritual guides, their bodies scarred by flame, marked as vessels of the dragon's will. Whether leading warriors into battle, blessing weapons with fire, or interpreting omens in the embers of a dying pyre, they serve as both the keepers of the Bone Clan's sacred traditions and the instruments of its relentless destruction.

==== Faith and Religion ====

To the Bone Clan, dragons are both adversaries and a source of strength, and dragon hunts are the ultimate form of worship. They believe that by slaying a dragon, they consume its power, proving themselves worthy of greatness in the eyes of their god, Kre'har the Dominant.

Those who succeed in bringing down a dragon earn great renown, no honour is greater than this. Their horns are carved or adorned to mark their victories, with each new kill adding to their legacy of conquest.

However, even among these ruthless hunters, there is one unbreakable taboo, the slaughter of a mother guarding a clutch of eggs is forbidden, seen as a mark of cowardice and dishonour. Any Draken who commits this act is cast out from the clan or challenged in combat, for it is considered weakness to strike from the shadows rather than face a beast in its full strength.

=== Skyholder Clan ===

The Skyholder Clan are shepherds, scholars, and caretakers of dragons, living in harmony with the great beasts they revere. Unlike their Bone Clan rivals, they see dragons not as prey, but as sacred beings, believing that through protection and devotion, they will one day earn Kre'har's favour. Their ultimate aspiration is to be granted the gift of wings, allowing them to ascend beyond the limits of the earth and soar among the heavens alongside the creatures they so faithfully serve.

The Skyholder Clan is a diverse society, made up of both Wyrmlings and Drakelings, each fulfilling distinct roles within their monastic order. The Wyrmlings, being the more adaptable and scholarly, take on roles as scribes, elemental mages, and seekers of wisdom, dedicating their lives to study and enlightenment. Meanwhile, the Drakelings serve as guardians of sacred sites, protecting the monasteries, ancient libraries, and dragon sanctuaries from any who would seek to defile them.

Though they are not as war-driven as their desert-dwelling kin, the Skyholder Drakelings are still formidable warriors, trained to defend their sacred places with unwavering ferocity and faith.

To the Skyholders, every dragon is a living manifestation of divine wisdom, and their sacred duty is to protect, nurture, and learn from them. They believe that only through understanding and reverence will they achieve true enlightenment, their souls one day lifted into the skies by the blessing of Kre'har.

==== Culture and Traditions ====

Life in the Skyholder Clan is built upon a foundation of study, discipline, and devotion, where knowledge is considered the highest pursuit. Their stone monasteries, carved into the rugged mountainsides, serve as centres of learning and magic, where scholars delve into ancient texts and mages refine their elemental abilities. Unlike the war-driven Bone Clan, the Skyholders dedicate themselves to understanding the natural world, the heavens, and the wisdom of dragons, believing that through knowledge and patience, they will achieve true enlightenment.

To mark their progress in mastery, the Skyholders follow a tradition of jewellery and horn adornments, a visible representation of years spent in study. Copper is worn by initiates, denoting one year of learning, while silver is granted after five years, signifying an individual's status as an experienced scholar or warrior. The most respected among them bear gold, a mark of those who have dedicated a decade or more to their discipline, proving their unwavering commitment to wisdom and skill.

These adornments are not merely decorative but symbols of achievement, displaying one's place within the hierarchy of the Skyholder Clan and their lifelong pursuit of enlightenment.

==== Faith and Religion ====

The Skyholder Clan worships the same god as the Bone Clan, but they interpret his will very differently. To them, Kre'har the Benevolent is not a god of domination, but ascension. They believe that dragons are sacred, the closest beings to divinity, and that through protecting and studying them, they may one day be granted wings and rise beyond the earth.

Within their society, they are tasked as guardians of deceased dragon remains and abandoned eggs. They ensure that no dragon is forgotten, keeping their bones hidden from scavengers and their eggs safe from harm. Their belief holds that by taking on this protective role, the Skyholders will one day be elevated beyond their mortal forms, bridging the gap between Draken and dragonkind, earning the gift of flight as their ultimate reward.

Their faith stems from two interpretations of an ancient record of the First Dragon, though the full meaning of this text is a subject of great debate among their scholars. Some believe that dragons were once gods themselves, and that their fall from divinity mirrors the Draken's own journey. Others believe that dragons are messengers of Kre'har, and that only through devotion and understanding will the Skyholder Clan be granted their place among them.

==== Vume Ur Kre'har – The Voice of Kre'har ====

The Vume Ur Kre'har, or Voice of Kre'har, is the highest honour within the Skyholder Clan, bestowed upon the wisest and most devoted Draken. This revered title is reserved for those who have proven themselves in both knowledge and faith, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the teachings of Kre'har and the sacred duty of protecting dragons.

Chosen through divine signs, prophecy, and the consensus of the eldest scholars, the Vume Ur Kre'har serves as the spiritual and philosophical guide of the Skyholders. They are entrusted with interpreting Kre'har's will, safeguarding ancient wisdom, and acting as the bridge between the Draken and the dragons they revere. Their words carry the weight of the heavens, influencing decisions on diplomacy, sacred rites, and the future of their people.

To bear this title is to embody the Skyholder's highest ideals, becoming both the guardian of the past and the beacon of the future. The Vume Ur Kre'har is more than just a leader, they are a living testament to the belief that wisdom and devotion will one day grant the Draken their rightful place among the skies.

=== Flood Clan ===

Entirely made up of Wyrmlings, the Flood Clan are fishermen, farmers, and sailors, dwelling within the vast floodplains and coastal regions where the land is rich and fertile. Their rudimentary settlements serve as both homes and bustling trade markets, acting as key points of exchange between the Draken and the rest of Tymora.

Unlike the war-driven Bone Clan, the Flood Clan does not seek conflict or conquest. Instead, they focus on community, survival, and preserving the stories of their people.

==== Culture and Traditions ====

The Flood Clan is renowned for its deep connection to water and the rhythms of nature. They are skilled at predicting the wet season, ensuring bountiful harvests and safe fishing periods, a talent that has saved their people from many disasters.

Unlike other clans, which carve their legends in stone or song, the Flood Clan records its history on the bodies of its people. Each Draken has life milestones carved into their horns, creating a living chronicle of their journey. When a Draken passes, these carvings are read aloud at their funeral, ensuring that their story is never forgotten.

Beyond their connection to water, the Flood Clan takes pride in its weaving and craftsmanship, using reeds, vines, and river plants to create baskets, clothing, and decorations that reflect the flowing nature of water. Their villages, too, are a reflection of their way of life, with homes built on stilts to endure the seasonal floods of the changing waters.

==== Faith and Religion ====

Unlike the Bone Clan and the Skyholder Clan, the Flood Clan is not particularly religious. Their beliefs vary among individuals, with some choosing to honour the spirits of the water and sky, while others rely solely on their knowledge and traditions.

Their connection to the changing tides and the seasonal rains shapes their view of the world, not as a place ruled by gods, but as an ever-moving force of nature to be understood and respected.

==== Relations with Other Clans ====

The Flood Clan remains largely neutral, avoiding unnecessary conflicts and bloodshed. However, they remain wary of Bone Clan raiders, who occasionally descend upon their settlements in search of supplies and easy prey.

Despite this tension, the Flood Clan does not seek war, preferring to defend its land through strategy and preparation rather than open battle.