Among the Dragonborn

The players from my latest campaign have arrived at the city of Drage and clearly wanted to know more about the city, its culture and politics...

Ask most Dragonborn from which nation they hail, the name of the largest island in their kingdom or the name of the city on that island and the answer you’ll get is the same: Drage. Dragonborn sages have sworn there is a distinct difference, but draconic is almost impossible for non-Dragonborn to speak or understand given its reliance on posture, tone, clicks and frill movements.

Made up of a half dozen volcanic islands, the only settlement of note is on the western shore of the largest of those islands, the only island non-Dragonborn are welcome on.

Level 1

Connected to the docks and the easiest entry points for visitors, the dock market sells almost everything imaginable

Worshipping the dragons of old that bore them, the Dragonborn are a race apart and while they may mingle with others across the world, only in Drage are they found in great numbers. While only a Dragonborn may own land or property on the islands and a sponsor is required for any wishing to conduct business there, a great number of merchants and traders cannot resist a visit given the exotic and varied merchandise available. It is said that you can buy dreams and folly in equal measure in the sweltering streets of Drage City where, as long as you have a sponsor, no trade is illegal.

Level 2

Mostly residential areas, the mid market sells mostly fresh produce and clothing. Also includes the Stadium where regular events are held. Built into the cliff wall of a south facing cove, from the shore the city appears to be only a large dock backed by a cliff wall covered in magnificent murals and dotted by a few caves. Those entrances though lead to an extensive network of caves that form the city. Entering the caves, most visitors are amazed by the complex murals that cover every surface. Blending the history of the Drage faith with the myths of their dragon ancestors and hundreds of geometric designs in every colour, artwork covers every wall and ceiling of the caves. Knowing how to read the patterns and stories residents rarely become lost in the city’s winding paths, but most newcomers find the profusion of colour and symbols confusing.

Less obvious but equally amazing to travellers is the fact that the walls glow with a steady golden luminescence. As the day progresses, through some unknown magic, sunlight soaks through the stone until it reaches even the deepest caves, lingering long after the sun goes down. Slits, cracks and small holes dot every cave, and through these the Bellows, buried in the lowest level, circulates air throughout the city.

Level 0

Rarely seen by visitors unless they are buying slaves, but containing the Bellows that are vital to the city's survival. While the corridors that thread through the cliffs are public, each chamber is claimed by a specific family. Cloth panels hung from the ceilings divide each chamber into smaller rooms that are used as dwellings and businesses. One of the few edicts of the ruling council is that no additional tunnels be dug. Many families do so anyway, but must avoid tunnelling into another family’s domain or interrupting the flow of air, something the Aetos family react very badly to.

The city, and by extension the nation, is ruled by a council that includes the temple leader and the heads of the six families, but they rarely intervene in everyday events and set only the very broadest of policy.

The current temple leader is Xenia, a powerful blue dragonborn with an almost mesmerising personality that she has used to drive a dramatic revival in the last few years. She is a strong proponent of the ‘Ancients’ interpretation of the Drage faith, for many years considered a heresy. The tenants of this interpretation include amassing great wealth, treating all other life as food and a stricter division of dragonborn along hereditary lines and the elimination of half-breeds. Currently though there is just one she wants to have the families agree for all Drage; ‘Do not allow other creatures to reside in your lair, they will defile it’, but thus far they are resisting her demands.

The Six Families

Level 3

Home to the most powerful families that rule Drage, the flying market is a huge open air platform from which merchants sell the rarest and most expensive goods.

Indomisal

A family led by Damaris, a golden dragonborn. Primarily interested in the trade of food, spices and alcohol, the family crest displays a dragon guarding an overflowing cornucopia. It’s said that individual members of the family take after either the fierceness of the dragon or the gluttony represented by the cornucopia. Damaris takes after the later and while his feasts are legendary his younger brother Gandas believes he is leading the family to ruin, and Gandas takes after the dragon…

Galvanros

A family led by the brothers Achaz and Lamech, grey dragonborn. Being half breeds they are vehemently against to any shift towards the ancients interpretation and oppose Xenia in most things. Noble and honourable, but proud and with a long memory for a grudge, the family control the port and manage the island’s lumber trade. They also maintain and build the nation’s navy of dragonships, triple decked war vessels that dominate the northern seas.

Kyra

A family led by Protemus, a red dragonborn. Mercenary in nature the Kyra produce fine cloth and exquisite jewellery that is highly prized. The family love to present themselves as refined, patrons of the arts and sophisticated. Meanwhile they also deal in weapons, drugs, extortion and assassination.

Zeneci

A family led by the couple Korianna and Talithia, both copper dragonborn. These two are ancient, with some sources suggesting they are in excess of 2,000 years old, perhaps it is their extreme age that has allowed them to develop a mastery of the magical arts that is unparalleled. Under their guidance the Zeneci family study magic in all its forms and run several magical schools. Producing potions, charms and offering magical services, the Zeneci are renowned for refusing to negotiate, often declining to trade with those who try. They inhabit the third level of the city just to the east of the flying market.

Aetos

Led by Leon, a one-armed silver dragonborn, the Aetos control the lower levels of the city including the dying and paint producing facilities and the slave markets. Most importantly though they control the Bellows, a series of chambers that maintains the flow of air through the city. Leon is incredibly devout to the teachings of the temple and despite his disability is said to be as deadly in a fight as a paladin in full armour.

Zosimena

A family shrouded in mystery, none of the other families know where they’re based or how the family maintain such wealth and political power, but they have plenty of both. They're represented in public by an unknown dragonborn referred to as “Krymenos”. When Krymenos appears in public they wear a dramatic silver mask studded with emeralds that hides their face, long black gloves and a long cowled cape the colour of verdigris.