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| | ==The Hierarchy of Scales== | | ==The Hierarchy of Scales== |
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| − | The ''Argent Dragons'' believe that the Mother Goddess imbued their blood with the ''Essence of True Order'' - a metaphysical quality that sets them above their peers. To the ''Argents'', Order is not merely about inner peace or mere faith to a higher power - rather, it is about each Dragon knowing his place in the world, obeying his superiors and being obeyed by his inferiors. | + | The Argent Dragons have Order in their blood. For them, Order is not about harmony, inner peace or mere faith to a higher power - it is about each Dragon knowing his place in the world, obeying his superiors and being obeyed by his inferiors. |
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| − | An ''Argent Dragon'' knows that ''Hierarchy'' is something that is as natural and undeniable as breathing, and knows that those who fight it deny their own draconic nature. | + | An Argent Dragon knows that the system works, and he knows his place within the system. |
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| − | That the less disciplined breeds have a hard time grasping this concept is a source of much frustration for the ''Argent'' Dragon. To the ''Argent'' mindset, disobedience of proper authority is unnatural and unquestionably wrong, and that anarchy is nothing less than hell on earth. | + | That less disciplined breeds have a hard time grasping this concept is a source of much frustration for the Argent Dragon. To the Argent mindset, disobedience of proper authority is sinful and wrong, and anarchy is hell on earth. Responsibility is more important than freedom. Honour is greater than personal satisfaction. Duty and loyalty are the two greatest qualities that a Dragon can aspire to. |
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| − | ''Argents'' believe that responsibility always outweighs freedom, duty must always be greater than personal gratification and obedience to rightful authority must always outweigh personal beliefs and ethics. The ''Hierarchy of Scales'' demands this, and the ''Argents'' gladly obey.
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| | ==Character Creation: Game Rules== | | ==Character Creation: Game Rules== |
| − | | + | For the purposes of the below Birthrights and Breed Weakness, a hierarchical superior or inferior is considered to be someone in the same organisation, in the same chain of command. This is open to some GM interpretation, and is in a large part due to perception. For example, a War Dragon who is part of a military force places himself within that hierarchy. |
| − | ===Sphere Ratings===
| + | Broadly, most Argent Dragons consider themselves to be part of the hierarchical organisation that is the Argent Breed itself (with elders considered to be superiors by default unless of lower rank in some other way) and also a member of their political faction (usually the Alliance of Light). |
| − | *'''Soma 6'''
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| − | *'''Sophia 5'''
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| − | *'''Pneuma 4'''
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| − | ''Argent Dragons'' are the soldiers of Order, far hardier in battle than their Pure and Solar cousins. They are far from dumb brutes, though, and value discipline and learning as much as physical training.
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| | ===Birthright=== | | ===Birthright=== |
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| − | '''Mithril Fortitude''' - ''Argent Dragons'' are determined and tough, rarely willing to give up a fight and hard to put down with injuries. It is often said that the ''Argents'' are at their most dangerous when you think them nearly defeated. During ''Soma-based Conflicts'', if an ''Assault'' action targeting the ''Argent Dragon'' would reduce him to a negative energy pool value, then he gain a +2 bonus to ''physical energy'' at the end of that conflict step. For example, if an ''Assault'' would take them to -1 physical energy, then their new ''Physical Energy'' value would be 3 instead of the usual 1. | + | '''Loyalty Unto Death''' - If an Argent Dragon is obeying orders from his hierarchical superiors, he is hard to sway from his purpose. He gains +1 dice to any defensive ''Sophis'' or ''Pneuma'' check to resist being swayed from completing his orders. |
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| − | '''Soul of Cold Silver''' - In the mystic tradition, silver is a metal that is a bane to the supernatural - it can harm ghosts and demons normally immune to attack. Any natural attack made by an Argent Dragon's weapons or natural attacks is considered to be ''silver'' for the purposes of bypassing resistances and affecting vulnerabilities. | + | '''Confidence in Command''' - Argent Dragon commanders instinctively know the best way to inspire their soldiers. An Argent Dragon gains +1 dice to any ''Sophis'' or ''Pneuma'' check relating to giving commands to his hierarchical inferiors. |
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| − | ===Flaws=== | + | ===Breed Weakness=== |
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| − | '''Arcane discord''' - The silver souls of the ''Argent Dragon'' render him unable to channel magic through himself. ''Argent Dragons'' cannot use suspires of any sort, with the exception of the ''firebreathing'' granted by his draconic birthright. | + | '''Oaths of Obedience''' - Conversely, Argent Dragons find it very hard to resist orders given to them by their hierarchical superiors. An Argent Dragon must make a Sophis check to disobey his superiors. The Argent Dragon's TN for this check is 6+ for most orders, 5+ for an order that is against his conscience or code of morality, or 4+ for an order that is aborrhent or obviously suicidal. The roll is competed by an appropriate command check from the superior. If the Argent Dragon equals or exceeds the superior's successes, he may disobey the order, otherwise he must follow it without question. |
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| | ==Physical Appearance== | | ==Physical Appearance== |
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| − | '''Argent Dragons''' are called "silver scaled" by other dragons, but in actuality a single dragon with have scales varying from the gleaming silver-white colour of mythril, to the dark and shiny black-greys of graphite. Dorsal surfaces (especially the heavy back armour plates) tend to be brighter coloured, while wing membranes and undersurfaces tend to darker silvers. Blue-grey shades tend to be the norm for ''Argent Dragon'' eyes, with a distinct black central pupil. Like Pure Dragons, ''Argent'' males have longitudinally aligned horns, though their horns are teardrop shaped in cross section, with the "edge" downwards. Their facial features and body structures are best described as "military", with a certain heaviness and solidity of torso even in females, and often accessory rows of spines along the back.
| + | Argent Dragons are called "silver scaled" by other dragons, but in actuality a single dragon with have scales varying from the gleaming silver-white colour of mythril, to the dark and shiny black-greys of graphite. Dorsal surfaces (especially the heavy back armour plates) tend to be brighter coloured, while wing membranes and undersurfaces tend to darker silvers. Blue-grey shades tend to be the norm for Argent Dragon eyes, with a distinct blac central pupil. Like Pure Dragons, Argent males have longitudinally aligned horns, though their horns are teardrop shaped in cross section, with the "edge" downwards. Their facial features and body structures are best described as "military", with a certain heaviness and solidity of torso even in females, and often accessory rows of spines along the back. |
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| | ==Society and Culture== | | ==Society and Culture== |
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| − | The ''Argent Dragons'' rule over the predominantly human ''Empire of Arrantis'' that lies in the southwest of the Realm. The Empire consists of two dozen City States that are governed by human princes, but who owe allegiance in turn to the ''Silver City'' where the ''Argent Dragons'' rule. The ''Silver City'' (and ''Arrantis'') is ultimately governed by the ''Emperor of the Hierarchy of Scales'' - a title passed down in heriditary fashion from eldest son to eldest son of an Imperial line of dragons. The ''Argents'' say that the first Emperor was none other than the first ''Argent Dragon'', and have recognised the Imperial Line for as long as they can remember. In contrast, the humans of ''Arrantis'' have recognised the Emperor for just over six hundred years ago: a mere generation ago for dragons of course, but an entire era as far as the loyal human citizens of the ''Arrantian Empire'' are concerned. | + | The ''Argent Dragons'' rule over the mostly human ''Empire of Arrantis'' that lies in the southwest of the Realm. The Empire consists of two dozen City States that are governed by human princes, but who owe allegiance in turn to the Silver City where the Argent Dragons rule. The Silver City (and Arrantis) is ultimately governed by the ''Emperor of the Hierarchy of Scales'' - a title passed down in heriditary fashion from eldest son to eldest son of an Imperial line of dragons. The first Emperor was none other than the first Argent Dragon. |
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| − | As all ''Argent Dragons'' are descended from the first Emperor, they all claim royal blood. Over the generations different descendant bloodlines have named themselves as various Noble Houses. The Imperial line is known as ''Silverscale'', while other ''Houses Major'' include ''Brightwater'', ''Ironheart'', ''Stoneforge'' and ''Icetalon''. The Imperial line and the Houses Major comprise almost three quarters of all ''Argent Dragons'', with the remaining quarter either aligned to one of the two dozen ''Houses Minor'', or disowned by their Houses for some crime or treachery. ''Argent Dragons'' consider it crude as to incorporate their House names into their draconic names, but even neonate ''Argents'' are fully aware the various bloodlines and of which ''Argent'' is of which House. | + | As all Argent Dragons are descended from the first Emperor, they all claim royal blood. Over the generations different descendant bloodlines have named themselves as various Noble Houses. The Imperial line is known as ''Silverscale'', while other Houses Major include ''Brightwater'', ''Ironheart'' and ''Flametalon''. Argent Dragons are not so crude as to incorporate their House names into their own names, but all neonate dragons are able to recite the various bloodlines from an early age. |
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| − | Because of their royal status, ''Argents'' are fully integrated into ''Arrantian'' society, and revered as near-immortal nobility by the humans of the Empire. Every inch of land in the Empire is the feudal domain of one or another Houses Major, with the Houses Minor serving beneath them. The ''Argents'', more than any other ''Alliance'' breed, can mount massive military expeditions with relative ease and have the resources of an entire nation at their disposal.
| + | ==Lifepaths and the Pure Dragons== |
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| − | ==Lifepaths and the Argent Dragons== | + | ==Outlook== |
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| − | To an ''Argent Dragons'', lack of skill as a [[Age of Dragons: Warmaster|Warmaster]] is a sure sign of character weakness. To be trained in war is to be a ''Silver Soldier'', and worthy of respect. To be incompetent in arms is to be an ''Untried Pup'', worthy only of contempt.
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| − | An acceptable alternative is to take the role of a [[Age of Dragons: Far-sky Ranger|Farsky Ranger]], acting as a scout for the ''Hierarchy of Scales'' military campaigns. Scouting is considered to be one of the few socially acceptable lifepaths for an ''Argent'' with any desire for personal freedom and an escape from the rigidity of ''Argent'' society.
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| − | A more experienced ''Argent'' may find a role as an [[Age of Dragons: Ambassador-Courtier|Ambassador-Courtier]], likely donning the title ''Voice of the House''. However, this is considered to be a role that can be taken only with a background of military experience, and only when your House asks you to.
| + | ''Honour-Through-Duty'', Argent Weaponmaster of the House Ironheart, speaks of comrades and enemies: |
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| − | Similarly, while ''Argents'' see the necessity for [[Age of Dragons: Hatchery Guardian|Hatchery Guardians]] and [[Age of Dragons: Hallowed Chorister|Hallowed Choristers]], they see this as something of a weak option. It'd be a socially brave ''Argent'' who chose to walk one of these paths without first serving in the army.
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| − | ''Argent Dragons'' very rarely leave the ''Alliance'' - it is mentally very hard for an Argent to break away from the established society of the Empire. Those who do break away often find service as [[Age of Dragons: Warmaster|Warmasters]] sworn to ''Ascendancy'' Sable Dragon lords. Very rarely an ''Argent Dragon's'' sense of societal duty may even break altogether, as he takes up the path of the [[Age of Dragons: Beast Unbound|Beast Unbound]], or less radically of the free-spirited [[Age of Dragons: Sky Dancer|Sky Dancers]]. The Argents call such unfortunate souls ''Fractured Mirrors'' and will do their best to "bring them in", gently or forcibly, and to reintegrate them into society.
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| − | ==Outlook==
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| − | ''Honour-Through-Duty'', ''Argent Weaponmaster'' of the ''House Icetalon'', speaks of comrades and enemies: | + | * '''Pure Dragons''' - ''".."'' |
| | + | * '''Solar Dragons''' - ''".."'' |
| | + | * '''Hunter Dragons''' - ''".."'' |
| | + | * '''Forest Dragons''' - ''".."'' |
| | + | * '''Storm Dragons''' - ''".."'' |
| | + | * '''Ashen Dragons''' - ''"..'' |
| | + | * '''Velvet Dragons''' - ''".."'' |
| | + | * '''Chimerical Dragons''' - ''".."'' |
| | + | * '''Ghost Dragons''' - ''".."'' |
| | + | * '''Blood Dragons''' - ''".."'' |
| | + | * '''Sable Dragons''' - ''".." |
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| − | * '''Pure Dragons''' - ''"If we are the Emperors, then they are our Priests. The two hierarchies, religious and military, must exist side by side and all dragons must obey."''
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| − | * '''Solar Dragons''' - ''"They call themselves fellow Dragons of Order, but they waive and falter when they should stand firm and unmoving. They are, however, our allies and we will honour the pact that binds us to them."''
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| − | * '''Hunter Dragons''' - ''"They understand hierarchy on their bestial level, but do not perceive any sort of strength save the physical. They need educating, and taming, then they will be a valued part of the Hierarchy of Scales."''
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| − | * '''Forest Dragons''' - ''"Their ways are strange, and their societal structure is confusing. They need order to their lives."''
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| − | * '''Storm Dragons''' - ''"I do not pretend to understand the sea-swimmers, but I recognise that they are soldiers like us. They have my respect."''
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| − | * '''Ashen Dragons''' - ''"They understand how to rule, but not how to serve. The chaos in their blood becomes evident as they tear themselves apart with infighting. I pity them.''
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| − | * '''Velvet Dragons''' - ''"Take your seductions and lies away from me, filth. I am Argent, and I am immune to your whispers."''
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| − | * '''Chimerical Dragons''' - ''"There is no truth in dreams, and there is no order in ephemera. If they do not face reality, they will not survive this age."''
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| − | * '''Ghost Dragons''' - ''"They have fallen low, and we have given them refuge. So long as they obey the laws of the Alliance, we will honour our pledge to protect them."''
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| − | * '''Blood Dragons''' - ''"They may be warriors, but they are not soldiers. Hold the line, do not retreat when faced with their rage, and you will find that their discipline is weak. We will defeat them."''
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| − | * '''Sable Dragons''' - ''"The enemy is to be respected. He is clever, he is organised and he is powerful. We must respect the enemy, then we must defeat him."
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| | ---- | | ---- |
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| | [[Category:Age_of_Dragons]] | | [[Category:Age_of_Dragons]] |
