Towns and Cities
Alaris
The city of Alaris: built by drawfs, run by men. Alaris is a leader in dragon research and warfare, the only city in the world of its kind. It is hidden deep into the Fangor Mountain Range, so protected by nature that there is only two ways to enter the city. You can either travel down Rocky River, where the city briefly and discretely meets its shoreline or you can follow the thin rock path that hugs the ledges of the mountains, connecting the city of Alaris with the city of Coremere, known as The Veil. What's hard to comprehend is just how massive Alaris is. While the castle and center, called The Alara, is easy to recognize (pictured on the right), houses spread thinly around its perimeter.
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These houses sit off the sides of cliffs, barely strapped on to the mountain in an area called The Cliffs (pictured on the left). There are bridges, completely suspended, encircling the mountain. But the city doesn't stop there, there are cave tunnels that meet the bridges, leading to a part of the city that sits directly below, inside Fangor, known as The Platonic.
These three, significant districts of the city: The Alara, The Cliffs and The Platonic, make up just a few of its defining features. The Drakes of Tarragon
A Drake is a broad term used to describe any individual who works for or has any associations with the Tarragon Facility. The Tarragon is a well known establishment, though the details of what goes on there is left as a mystery to the public. It is primarily advertised as a dragon research institution.
There are multiple departments of The Tarragon, people working towards separate goals. The first is the foundation of what makes all the rest possible, the Enforcers. These are slayers, poachers, hunters, trappers, predators... whatever name you feel best suits it. They're the people who bring the dragons in, alive, or their eggs. About 98% of the dragons housed at The Tarragon are wyvern, captured by a team of Enforcers. Enforcer teams are usually anywhere from 5 to 20 people, organized by either Tarragon themselves or hired from outside. Many actually reside in Coremere. The second department is made up of the Scientists. These are the people that do the job The Tarragon stands for and that's pure and simple: research. Researching live dragons, up close. This type of research goes beyond the rules and regulations of The Draconologist Guild. The research, on the surface and to the public's knowledge, is |
gaining a basic understanding. The truth? The research done at Tarragon is consistently unethical, experiments involving: the destruction of the dragon's throat to prevent breath ability, drug overdose, scaling (the removal of scales), psychological and physical torture, and more.
The third department is composed of Instructors. Instructors can be summed up as dragon handlers or wranglers, individuals who care for and handle the dragon outside of experiments. That is, at least, what they are known as by the public, but this department actually works primarily in secret. Aside from being handlers, Instructors are trainers, individuals attempting to tame and domesticate dragons, if possible. They are also involved in the breeding program, making attempts to breed a tame and controlled dragon. Instructors work in incubation labs and focus on perfecting a dominate bond with the creature. Few individuals are selected as "riders," who often try to obtain a commanding influence in order to force behaviors out of the dragons.
The Slayers/Capturers
The third department is composed of Instructors. Instructors can be summed up as dragon handlers or wranglers, individuals who care for and handle the dragon outside of experiments. That is, at least, what they are known as by the public, but this department actually works primarily in secret. Aside from being handlers, Instructors are trainers, individuals attempting to tame and domesticate dragons, if possible. They are also involved in the breeding program, making attempts to breed a tame and controlled dragon. Instructors work in incubation labs and focus on perfecting a dominate bond with the creature. Few individuals are selected as "riders," who often try to obtain a commanding influence in order to force behaviors out of the dragons.
The Slayers/Capturers
On The Surface
Public Access/Entertainment Department: Museum, Learning Center, Arena & Gift Shop
Public access to the Tarragon facility is limited to the museum, the learning center and the arena. The museum is two stories tall, partly man made, partly a natural stone cave that the facility has been built into. The third floor is the learning center, a large mini-auditorium style room with stone benches. The learning center has scheduled lessons throughout the day, typically every couple of hours. Every Curator who works at the museum is assigned to teach one lesson in the learning center a day, so that the workers rotate this responsibility. All the lessons are different, one on eggs, one dragon hunting behavior, one on dragon breath weapons, etc.
After visitors are done with the learning center they can go through two large, wooden double doors that exit straight from the third floor to the open air, high up on the mountainside to the sixth level of a circular arena that has been built into a valley around the mountains. The arena, known as Tropolis, has 12 levels of seating. There are three exits, the double doors on the sixth level that goes into the learning center, a stairway down on the opposite, north side, also at the sixth level, that enters the single story building known as the gift shop. There is also a stairway that exits from the first level to the east and goes out of the Tarragon facility.
Tropolis is where visitors can see a real dragon up close. Access into the arena is only allowed during scheduled shows, which fall immediately after the scheduled lessons in the learning center. At the center of the arena a single dragon of varying age and type are either caged or chained for viewing. Typically one dragon is chosen to be the Performer for a single day, rotating the dragons as necessary. Occasionally they may switch out the dragon mid-day if it is showing signs of agitation and isn't cooperating with the Ringmaster. A ringmaster is the person who directs the show at the arena, telling the crowd all about the present dragon and demonstrating various "tricks." There are usually 6 to 10 other people spaced out around the arena called Sentinels who are there to be prepared for any threat that the dragon might present. Their job is to keep the visitors safe. Dragons who are used as Performers are generally so worn out and abused that they show little signs of hostility. Performers are selected specifically for their defeated attitudes and a lack of will to fight, giving the Ringmaster the best chance at succeeding in his/her job and insuring the visitors safety. Occasionally a Performer will perk up and begin showing aggression, in which case makes for an excellent show, though immediately transfers the dragon out for another by the next show and submits the agitator to further abuse for acting out. If they are lucky, Ringmasters get the best of both worlds, a dragon who may be active but obedient, though this is a special kind of rarity. Part of a Ringmaster's job is to make the crowd feel like the dragon they witness is tame, and that it is not depressed but merely obedient, and that the only way to control a dragon is to use force, all things only recommended to trained professionals.
After visitors are done with the learning center they can go through two large, wooden double doors that exit straight from the third floor to the open air, high up on the mountainside to the sixth level of a circular arena that has been built into a valley around the mountains. The arena, known as Tropolis, has 12 levels of seating. There are three exits, the double doors on the sixth level that goes into the learning center, a stairway down on the opposite, north side, also at the sixth level, that enters the single story building known as the gift shop. There is also a stairway that exits from the first level to the east and goes out of the Tarragon facility.
Tropolis is where visitors can see a real dragon up close. Access into the arena is only allowed during scheduled shows, which fall immediately after the scheduled lessons in the learning center. At the center of the arena a single dragon of varying age and type are either caged or chained for viewing. Typically one dragon is chosen to be the Performer for a single day, rotating the dragons as necessary. Occasionally they may switch out the dragon mid-day if it is showing signs of agitation and isn't cooperating with the Ringmaster. A ringmaster is the person who directs the show at the arena, telling the crowd all about the present dragon and demonstrating various "tricks." There are usually 6 to 10 other people spaced out around the arena called Sentinels who are there to be prepared for any threat that the dragon might present. Their job is to keep the visitors safe. Dragons who are used as Performers are generally so worn out and abused that they show little signs of hostility. Performers are selected specifically for their defeated attitudes and a lack of will to fight, giving the Ringmaster the best chance at succeeding in his/her job and insuring the visitors safety. Occasionally a Performer will perk up and begin showing aggression, in which case makes for an excellent show, though immediately transfers the dragon out for another by the next show and submits the agitator to further abuse for acting out. If they are lucky, Ringmasters get the best of both worlds, a dragon who may be active but obedient, though this is a special kind of rarity. Part of a Ringmaster's job is to make the crowd feel like the dragon they witness is tame, and that it is not depressed but merely obedient, and that the only way to control a dragon is to use force, all things only recommended to trained professionals.
The Research
Science Department: Research Team, Conservation Team, Instructors/Trainers/Riders
The next department is made up of the Scientists. These are the people that do the job The Tarragon stands for and that's pure and simple: research. Researching live dragons, up close. This type of research goes beyond the rules and regulations of The Draconologist Guild. The research, on the surface and to the public's knowledge, is gaining a basic understanding. The truth? The research done at Tarragon is consistently unethical, experiments involving: the destruction of the dragon's throat to prevent breath ability, drug overdose, scaling (the removal of scales), psychological and physical torture, and more. The scientist in the research team are those that handle live captives in a controlled environment. The majority of dragons at Tarragon are kept chained or caged up 24/7. Very few even get the opportunity to see sunlight or stretch their wings out. Their muscles become weak after only a few months, making them easier to handle.
The research team's laboratory, known as SpaceX, consist of chamber after chamber housing the dragons, localized rooms or offices and a shared dining hall with the conservation team for relaxation.
The conservation team are scientist that focus on breeding and hatching eggs. The majority of the eggs in the hatchery are brought in from the outside, stolen eggs from the wild (90%). The scientists' job is to keep the eggs stabilized long enough to hatch. Only 5% of the eggs at the hatchery successfully hatch. The rest harden, rot and die, having not mastered the requirements necessary for them to flourish. The 10% of eggs that come from the breeding program are almost consistently flawed. The conservation team spend a lot of their time trying to artificially breed the dragons at the facility. Occasionally they have tried breeding the dragons naturally, pairing them off and getting mixed results. In many instances it's gotten one of the dragons killed. The conservation team works on multiple goals but one in particular is breeding for domestication. Overall, this has so far failed due to the struggle in keeping eggs alive.
The conservation team's laboratory, known as The Hatchery, consist of four large incubation rooms, two rooms dedicated to artificial breeding and other studies, a large dome shaped breeding chamber and a shared dining hall with the research team for relaxation.
When an egg does hatch the wymrlings are immediately passed off to the dragon technicians or caretakers. These scientists, to the public, are given the title of Instructor or Dragon Tech. Instructors can be summed up as dragon handlers or wranglers, individuals who care for and handle the dragon outside of experiments. That's as much as the public knows about them at least, but this program actually works primarily in secret. While their jobs are mostly caring for the dragons' basic needs, including medical care, they are also Trainers, attempting to tame or domesticate them, if possible. They study the dragons' behavior and make assessments about their worth to the company, which experiments they would be good for, whether or not they are fit for the breeding program, and how close can they bond with other creatures. Trainers focus on perfecting a dominate bond with the dragons, using abuse and torture to establish themselves above the dragons in an attempt to make them "tame." A small selection of instructors/trainers are chosen as "riders," who often try to obtain a commanding influence on the dragons in order to force specific behaviors out of them, all in hopes to ride and benefit from them. There have only ever been less than a handful of dragons who have been deemed "ride-able" in the history of Tarragon and all of them have eventually turned on their rider. While Tarragon has always aspired to add dragonriders to their team, they have consistently failed at this.
The instructors share their space with the research team and the conservation team, working primarily in the same rooms and chambers as them. They also have their own building, connected to The Hatchery, that houses a small library and their own private studies, as well as the wyrmling room, known as The Nursury.
The research team's laboratory, known as SpaceX, consist of chamber after chamber housing the dragons, localized rooms or offices and a shared dining hall with the conservation team for relaxation.
The conservation team are scientist that focus on breeding and hatching eggs. The majority of the eggs in the hatchery are brought in from the outside, stolen eggs from the wild (90%). The scientists' job is to keep the eggs stabilized long enough to hatch. Only 5% of the eggs at the hatchery successfully hatch. The rest harden, rot and die, having not mastered the requirements necessary for them to flourish. The 10% of eggs that come from the breeding program are almost consistently flawed. The conservation team spend a lot of their time trying to artificially breed the dragons at the facility. Occasionally they have tried breeding the dragons naturally, pairing them off and getting mixed results. In many instances it's gotten one of the dragons killed. The conservation team works on multiple goals but one in particular is breeding for domestication. Overall, this has so far failed due to the struggle in keeping eggs alive.
The conservation team's laboratory, known as The Hatchery, consist of four large incubation rooms, two rooms dedicated to artificial breeding and other studies, a large dome shaped breeding chamber and a shared dining hall with the research team for relaxation.
When an egg does hatch the wymrlings are immediately passed off to the dragon technicians or caretakers. These scientists, to the public, are given the title of Instructor or Dragon Tech. Instructors can be summed up as dragon handlers or wranglers, individuals who care for and handle the dragon outside of experiments. That's as much as the public knows about them at least, but this program actually works primarily in secret. While their jobs are mostly caring for the dragons' basic needs, including medical care, they are also Trainers, attempting to tame or domesticate them, if possible. They study the dragons' behavior and make assessments about their worth to the company, which experiments they would be good for, whether or not they are fit for the breeding program, and how close can they bond with other creatures. Trainers focus on perfecting a dominate bond with the dragons, using abuse and torture to establish themselves above the dragons in an attempt to make them "tame." A small selection of instructors/trainers are chosen as "riders," who often try to obtain a commanding influence on the dragons in order to force specific behaviors out of them, all in hopes to ride and benefit from them. There have only ever been less than a handful of dragons who have been deemed "ride-able" in the history of Tarragon and all of them have eventually turned on their rider. While Tarragon has always aspired to add dragonriders to their team, they have consistently failed at this.
The instructors share their space with the research team and the conservation team, working primarily in the same rooms and chambers as them. They also have their own building, connected to The Hatchery, that houses a small library and their own private studies, as well as the wyrmling room, known as The Nursury.
Food Operations
Meat Department: Hunters, Butchers, Undertaker, Cooks, Custodians
The Meat Department are primarily anyone who handles food of any kind. The first chain in this department are the Hunters. These are the people who go out and hunt for anything tasty to feed the dragons. Dragons require a lot of food and various kinds so it is an almost constant job. While Tarragon does have its own small cow, goat, sheep and pig pastures this is simply not enough to supply and satisfy the dragons. A hunter's job is straightforward though and they bring their kills directly to the head of the department, the Butchers.
The Butchers cut up the meat, store and organize it in the meat room. They are also responsible for tending to and harvesting the animals in the Tarragon pasture, known as Tarragon Plantation. There are a handful of Stockmen who aid in this work.
Then there is the Undertaker, the individual responsible for processing dead dragons at the facility. When a dragon dies, due to experiment, age, etc, the undertaker studies the cause of death and decides how the body is to be disposed of or processed for food, likely to be given to the other dragons.
There are only a few Cooks at Tarragon, who make the food for the employees at the employee cafeteria. Many people who work at the facility bring their own food but the company offers to option of dining at the small cafeteria as a small benefit to the workers. Unfortunately, the food is usually whatever is leftover from what the hunters bring in that day.
Custodians are also a part of the Meat Department. Even though, as a custodian, your job is merely to clean and handle maintenance at the facility, they often find time to aid the butchers or cooks when necessary.
The Butchers cut up the meat, store and organize it in the meat room. They are also responsible for tending to and harvesting the animals in the Tarragon pasture, known as Tarragon Plantation. There are a handful of Stockmen who aid in this work.
Then there is the Undertaker, the individual responsible for processing dead dragons at the facility. When a dragon dies, due to experiment, age, etc, the undertaker studies the cause of death and decides how the body is to be disposed of or processed for food, likely to be given to the other dragons.
There are only a few Cooks at Tarragon, who make the food for the employees at the employee cafeteria. Many people who work at the facility bring their own food but the company offers to option of dining at the small cafeteria as a small benefit to the workers. Unfortunately, the food is usually whatever is leftover from what the hunters bring in that day.
Custodians are also a part of the Meat Department. Even though, as a custodian, your job is merely to clean and handle maintenance at the facility, they often find time to aid the butchers or cooks when necessary.
Angarth
Nale
Oshban
Taverella
Darlington
Geographical Features & The Wild
Kroex
Tadj
Tadj Shoreline
Red Eye river
Crossroad forest
Vagabond Field
Fangor Mountain range
Rocky river
Tressida
Ironhead
Lake valentine
Valharp river
Cricket meadow
Grand Mercia
Black river
Alke grove
hunter's pit
mulgari mountain range / Mount Mulgar
Throng
Alaris
Cormere
Taverella
Darlington
Nale
Oshban
Angarth