Defenders of Dragons' Cove

The DDC as they are known, represent the nation that has ruled Dragons’ Cove for thousands of years in a sublime yet hazy peace. They are a unification of three royal families (representative of each city in Dragons’ Cove) higher ranked still are the members of the high council alongside the Guardian Dragons. The council and the Guardians run the nation with the royalty serving for traditions sake. Their territory is the most expansive, however they do not hold the entire island. Those who do not support them but are peaceful about it, have been left alone. The DDC show no further interests of expansion. The DDC value a pacifistic view and are tolerant of all races. While this makes them peaceful, with the absence of any threat for so many years, how strong they hold their cause is questionable. The makeup: + Strong magi (only passive, for now) + Diplomatic + Prosperous, natural artisans + Unapplied Forces (Although trained, not tried) + A spread of views internally

Daily Life
Those striving for excitement in their lives might have labelled life under the DDC ‘boring’, in a word. However, no longer does utmost peace rule over Dragons’ Cove, with the arrival of the Surahnian Rebels. War has ravaged the south-west of the Isle, and threatens to spread across the entirety of the isle if it is not contained.
Daily life varies widely depending on the profession of those living on Dragons’ Cove. Generally life is quiet and settled, although for some, such as the Elites, adventures come around a little more often. Most races behave fairly civilly towards one another, although contact with goblins, centaurs and nighie and other races is a rarer occurrence than common races such as humans, avians and elves.

Customs
Due to the varied nature of the DDC, there are no specific customs, greetings or gestures that can be applied to the faction as a whole. Generally tolerance of all views and cultures is practiced on the isle, which greatly reduces any hostility within the faction.

Education
Basic education is fairly accessible in most parts of Dragons’ Cove, except those that are especially rural such as the Ice Plains, Nusfarian Desert and the Southern Wetlands, where education is more difficult to accrue; in some more backwards areas, education may even be scorned.
For those that wish to improve their education past basic levels, the Northern Grand Academy takes on students every year, but for a price. Magic is studied in depth at the Northern Grand Academy; at the Southern Grand Academy, combat and physical ability is taught. In larger cities, libraries are fairly common, as are bookstores for personal development. Didienne boasts the largest library on the isle, set into the Didienne cliffs (or the Shayenne cliffs, depending on which settlement you come from).

Population
By far the most popular faction on the isle, the DDC has follower numbers in the thousands. Exact numbers are not known, but it is assumed that if there isn’t obvious Surahnian Rebel or Maledictus Eice presence in a settlement, and if the settlement isn’t Kaionar, then the DDC probably reign.

Social Organisation The DDC have a fairly rigid social organisation, with the five Guardian dragons at the top of the hierarchy. The Guardians ultimately have the last say on all important matters. The most powerful position for regular natives to hold is on the High Council of Didienne. The council discusses all important matters concerning Dragons’ Cove, especially those concerning the new threat of the Surahnian Rebels. Working with the High Council are Council Elites from the Elites, who have their own order. City Council members and those in charge of the two Academies are other highly ranked members of society, although they do not address nearly as many issues as the High Council. Below this, cities may have smaller hierarchies, although they are subjective within each different settlement. Currency Gold, silver and bronze coins. Loyalty and favours also carry a high price.

Crime
Crime levels on Dragons’ Cove are generally low, but there is, of course, variation between different settlements. Most notably, Kaionar and Jiluria have exceptionally high crime rates in comparison to the rest of the isle.

Foreign Relations
Relations with Surahnia and the Surahnian Rebels are poor. The Surahnian Rebels are currently seen as invaders whose sole purpose is to upset the current peace that reigns over Dragons’ Cove- an idea that goes down poorly with those holding power over the isle.

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Elites are the lawkeepers and peacekeepers of Dragons’ Cove. Duties are varied, and include: • Sorting petty disputes • Standing council & decreeing punishment for criminals where there is no council available, when there is no resident peacekeeper, where crimes are serious and/or involve officials, and/or if a council cannot deal with an issue • Annual ceremonial positions, involving royalty and/or the Guardians Daily Life Within a year, 8 months are traditionally spent on patrol and 4 months in training at Guardians’ Peak. However, in recent times patrols have been increasing in length and less time is spent at the Peak, especially for intermediate Elites who train on patrol. The minimum time spent at the Peak is one month per year. Ceremonial duties tend to be granted to long-serving Elites, those who have great deeds to their name for keeping the peace, Elite instructors, or leaders of Elite patrols. There are also a few coveted places available for budding new recruits to introduce slight competition to strive towards being the best each can be. New recruits, called Novices, train at the Peak for 6 months before heading out on their first patrol. During this time they learn basic diplomacy and basic fighting techniques. Those with magic also receive magic training. They are encouraged to work both independently and as a team, and are disciplined in the code that Elites follow.

Patrols
Elites are part of a patrol that only changes if a member dies, retires or takes on another role within the Elites, such as mentoring. By and large, the leader of a patrol is the one who would move on to other positions. An Elite must have served for at least 3 years before leading a patrol and becoming an Elite Major. Elites may become instructors after 5 years, and must have an exceptional field record.
Once a Novice has completed their 6 months at Guardian's Peak, they join a patrol. They then receive further training within their patrol on duty for 1-2 years, or for as long as it takes for them to experience a variety of situations, and learn everything an Elite needs to know. A Novice is always put into a patrol with at least two fully-trained Elites, generally on their own, but sometimes two Novices may join one patrol.
Elites that receive debilitating injuries (loss of a limb, extended and/or severe illness, paralysis, severe burns) in the field are transferred within the system so they no longer serve patrol service. Those who sustain minor injuries (cuts, scrapes, bruises, minor illness, broken arms or wings) on patrol are expected to stay with their group. Major injuries (broken legs, major illness, bereavement of partners and/or children) warrant either respite in-situ or a return to Guardians’ Peak.

Ranks are marked by embroidered patches on the sleeve, or painted onto scales. Individual patrols may also have developed a patrol emblem; these vary greatly and there is no set rule, but they must be approved by a Mentor. Patrols have a minimum of 4 members, and a maximum of 12.

Greetings/Gestures/Manners
Mentors and Council Elites are treated with respect by lower ranks, although it is not seen as taboo visit them with problems, or to treat them as friends if such a relationship grows. Elite Majors are generally treated as just another member of a patrol, but have the final say on most matters. The most common way of referring to another Elite is by their title and name, or just their name if familial.

Holidays
The main holiday celebrated by the Elites is the Guardians’ birthdays, on January 1st each year. A large festival takes place at Guardians’ Peak, with duties relaxed for all Elites. Some ceremonial activities take place, then there is food, drink and festivities that continue long into the night.
General festivals celebrated by different races are observed by those of associated origins, but are not celebrated as widely, and duties are not relaxed as far as for the Guardian’s birthday festivities.

Population & race structure
The Elites are mainly made up of dragons, humans and a slightly lower portion of avians. Elves are less common still, and only a handful of goblins and other races are Elites. Centaurs are the greatest rarity. In total there are around 1800 Elites, with over half always out on patrol.
Most Elites stay for life, although there is a small proportion that leave the system for various reasons. These ex-Elites are expected to work as peacekeepers in their chosen area, alongside another profession.
A percentage of Elites are recruited from the general land, but by far the greatest intake is from the Southern Grand Academy, of those wishing to use their training for good.

Social organisation and ranks
Novice: Initiate at the Peak for the first 6 months. Novices do not attend patrol.
Elite: Any member that has passed 6 months of training and now goes out on patrol.
Elite Major: Leader of an Elite group; they have the final say on decisions in a patrol, but generally things are done by democracy. They can attend Elite council sessions at the Peak.
Mentor: Mostly stationed at the Peak, although they may occasionally take patrols. They train mostly novices, although some focus on higher levelled Elites. All are open to give training to those who ask for it. They attend council sessions, and listen to the concerns of lower Elites to relay information to the council.
This bracket also contains those who are in administration.
Council Elite/Major: These Elites are the go-between with city councils, especially the Guardians and council of Didienne. They are extremely talented diplomats.

Government & politics
The Elites are ruled through diplomacy, but take final orders from the Guardians on serious matters that involve the whole of Dragons’ Cove. A council meets weekly to discuss matters brought to Guardians’ Peak by patrols, and any other business. Not all Elite Majors, Mentors and Council Elites have to attend, but those at the Peak are encouraged to.

History
The Elites were the original close associates of the Arch Mage, who helped to stabilize the isle’s peace. This was an honorary title at most for those loyal to the Arch Mage, the Guardians and the new regime. It is thought that the Elites were formed as the families of those honoured by the Arch Mage grew, with others being accepted into the ranks after a few years due to the Arch Mage’s wish of unity throughout the land.
In present years, Elite numbers have declined due to the idea of peacekeeping being less appealing. Everyone has seen the Elites sorting issues between two farmers over a cow, but not many have seen them on their more appealing ceremonial duties involving the ruling royalty and the Guardians.