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Disclaimer: This is not a roleplay about the Hobbit, sorry. I just have always loved Ed's song, the title suited this, and Smaug is the only dragon I could find blowing fire into the camera.

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Dragons have always been woven into the culture of the lands. Like a fabric, myths and legends rule the history of our kind and others. However, dragons are no myth. Perhaps they once were, with primeval tales of graced partners to serve their solitude life with. But now, a fire-breathing beast is not a rare sight. The elegant creatures are a common sight, marveled and cowered at. Few are chosen to live alongside the immortal beasts, and those that are graced as so are named the Riders. They are celebrated, honored, and worshiped by their people, seen as empiric and horrendous as their scaly partners. A Rider is a common but rare sight, however once, the worshiped men and women almost matched in abundance as the common folk.

What made those dragons partnered with a Rider different from other dragons was unclear at first. Legend told that the first to form a partnership with a humanoid partner were scorned upon by the other reptilian monsters. They were massacred and banished, disgracing their race by allowing a saddle to be placed upon their shoulders. However, a pair of young, curious beasts accepted partners years after, knowing the disgrace it would bring upon them. They, adept in a dark magic only known by few brave souls, discovered the true power in having a humanoid partner. Not only did it strengthen them physically, but allowed them an endless energy reserve, something the two needed to dwell in the dark magics. It gave them power -- more than the average dragon. As time moved forward, the rest of the ancients passed, leaving they, sustained by their strange magic to now be immortal, the last of their kind. Younger generations of dragons arose, each claiming a rider as the two ancients had done, although the bonding had in no way benefited them the way it had the two ancients.

The rising population of riders caught the attention of the two venerable beasts. The only remaining eldest of their kind, the two dragons were each allowed infinite Riders, whereas the newer were only allowed one, a law enforced by the two ancients. Unlike other dragons, whom were allowed only one Rider they had hatched for, the ancients could form a bond with any Rider they choose, and rather than them dying along with their counterpart, the beasts simply chose another partner. Noting the rising population of Riders, the two soon arose to the problem. Greater than the others, they massacred Riders and dragons by the hundreds. Devouring and demolishing any partnership that came into sight, and crushing the unborn fetuses concealed inside the embryo of the unhatched eggs. They, the eldest, deserved to be the only dragons graced in a partnership between a tiny man.

Eons passed, and the two beasts reigned side by side over the smaller draconian species. Riders were a whisper thrown to the fog, tossed among the generations, but never believed. The two kings, titled Oblaan, The End, and Avarice, The Void, ruled over the remaining scaly beasts and imprinted fear into the lower species. Never dirtying his claws, Oblaan stole the lives of those who defied him by worming through their minds, driving them mad or stopping their hearts by using the old dark magics from ages ago. Avarice greedily slaughtered in comparison, taking every and any chance to taste the flesh of man or elf.

The two kings soon met their Rider friends in the fog of myth, however their story is much more believed. Greedy for power, The Void of Avarice attempted to steal from every life source available. Drunk on the power, his kin Oblaan and his Rider tried to stop the monster of a brother. The End overpowered his younger brother, and the greedy figure of Avarice was soon weakened after slaughtering the Rider of Oblaan. Both dragons now Riderless, Oblaan burned with vengeance for his lost friend and partner. Ending Avarice's life, the great black beast went into mourning for his lost Rider, disappearing into the vast mountains. He knew that Avarice could never truly die, and would one day return to wreck his wrath upon the elder brother.

*

The stories of the Riders and the two kings have long since faded into the fog of myth. They are nothing but nurse tales, and anyone believing in the Riders of the kings would be considered mad. However, Riders are returning. The sight of a saddled dragon is becoming more common, despite the protests.

Dragon eggs happen by those worthy enough to be partnered with the scaly monster. With Riders rising out of the ashes, a secret community has been formed. Hidden from sight but not ear, the group does all they can to remain out of sight, however that cannot stop rumors from spreading. Where is a newly chosen Rider to go? One can learn on their own, however being taught by more experienced Riders; rumor has it the current chosen Rider of Oblaan teaches the ancient ways of the Riders. The organization does its best to keep the rumors at bay, but word is getting around. Riders are returning, despite the denial filling the land.

So where is a new Rider to go? Frightened and unknowing, with a great scaly beast hatched from an egg as their eternal partner. And if the legend of the two kings is true, will the ancient brothers return with vengeance and bloodlust for Rider's flesh once again?

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Species

There are numerous species found in these lands, ranging anywhere from humans to orc.

-- Humans : The common men of the land. Humans mainly populate the landscape's lower-altitudes and areas containing fresh, running water. They are a vast species, with varying skin, hair, and eye color.

-- Elves : The Elven folk are mainly found scattered depending on their race. They are a calm and civilized race, with pointed ears and a foreign cat-like look. Each race is skilled in magic almost as much as the dragons were. They are not immortal, however age incredibly slowly and were once thought by men to be. They are mature at 70 years of age and live to be around 600.
High Elves : This race of elf are respected, and the king and queen normally are a member of this race. They are the most skilled in magic, and tend to be taller than others. They have long, pointed ears which in return give them excellent hearing. This species is almost drawn to treasure, a trait seemingly passed down from their ancient Rider predecessors who learned the trait from the draconian.
Dark Elves : Members of this race are normally larger than the others in physique, and have a strange darker skin and hair tone, however have also been seen with startling white hair. They posses a unique strength to them, more known than any elf or man.
Wood Elves : This race of elf tend to be different than High or Dark. They are predator-like, loving a good adrenaline rush to start off a good day. Like High elves, they love collecting treasure, however this hoard consists more of nature's treasures than gold or silver. The eldest of the elves normally consist of this race.

-- Dwarves : Mountain-dwelling, the dwarves are a rough people. They stand shorter than elves and men, however can be seen as a short man if they are tall enough. Most have beards, however women do not.

-- Orcs : This species resemble man and elf in physique, however have notable differences. Their skin is often darker and rougher, and they have animal-like features such as pointed ears, larger teeth, and are much larger and taller than elf or man.

-- Trolls : Creatures that are larger than man, elf, or orc, and turn to stone in sunlight.

-- Phoenixes : Majestic birds of prey larger than any other bird, with feathers of fire.

-- Gryphons : Creatures half lion and half eagle. Are intelligent, and are often sought out when one is looking for ancient advice.

-- Unicorns & Pegasi : Enough said.

-- Hyppogriff : Mix of a gryphon and horse. Used as a mount by some elves, however are very selective of who is considered their friend.

-- Dragon : Fiery beasts of legend. Said to be immortal, although only a select few are, and grow larger than mountains over time, with wings that created hurricanes. The primeval of their kind were a strange race, still being deciphered by archaeologists by what little evidence there is left. They were bipedal, however the present-day species can be either bipedal or quadrupedal. Dragons are an intelligent race, able to outwit the smartest of elves and often hoard knowledge as much as they do treasure.

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The Lands

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The Riders

With more and more Riders returning, word is being spread of a secret organization known as The Riders. The Riders are a group of dragon Riders, young and old. The eldest member of the Riders is known to have ridden for ten years. All of the other members are below him in experience, and turn to him for advice. He has been a Rider the longest in these new times, and leads the group somewhat, although there is no real leader. All of the dragons are ten or younger, and are still young. The Riders are still learning the ancient ways, trying to figure out what their predecessors have left behind. Being a new Rider is tough, especially when all evidence of those before you is but a myth now.

However, there is rumor of an ancient Rider among the group. Said to be the chosen Rider of the monster Oblaan, the Rider Thelduin visits from time to time. With a new generation of Riders beginning, the old Rider is becoming more and more interested in the newly formed group. Whether or not the beast Oblaan knows of the returning dragon Riders is unknown. If he does, perhaps his new Rider has persuaded the beast to not let history repeat itself. Or is he hiding the truth about this new generation of Riders to protect his new friends from the fiery king?

Rider Ranks

Eldest : The one who has been a Rider the longest of the group; the first Rider to return. They don't lead, but help in making decisions and train the others what they have learned while being a Rider over their few years. Has been a Rider for ten years. (Open.)

Elders : The ones who have been Riders the longest out of the group aside from the Eldest. They've been Riders for either nine or eight years. (Three, open.)

Mages : Those focusing on the magical aspect of being a Rider. Are learning to become skilled in magic or already are. If they already are, they are an elf, but are still learning the new magics of being a Rider. (Unlimited.)

Warriors : Those focusing on the physical aspect of being a Rider. Are skilled in weapons, fighting, and are learning how to fight with a dragon. (Unlimited.)

Members : Those just there to learn how to be a Rider, not focusing on any certain aspect. (Unlimited.)

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Rules:
-- MAIL ME YOUR CHARACTER FORUMS.
-- The longest one can be a rider is ten years. Only one will have been for that long, the rest will have been for nine years or less.
-- GRAMMAR. I WILL kick you out if you look like you belong in first grade.
-- LITERATE. A minimum of three well-sized paragraphs please, but I encourage longer.
-- I put a lot of work into the gif (I hate gifs now), so in order to be accepted, look up Ed's song I See Fire, select any random set of lyrics, and put that in the "Ed" section.
-- Profanity and gore are perfectly fine. This isn't going to be a walk in the park roleplay, but stay within Lioden's rules.
-- Up to two humanoid characters and their dragons.
-- You must have BOTH a dragon and a humanoid character. You cannot have only one as the roleplay wouldn't advance far if you were always waiting for you partner's response on even a simple task.
-- NO "WILD" DRAGONS WILL BE ROLEPLAYED BY A MEMBER. ALL MUST HAVE A RIDER.
-- Remember, this is a classic medieval setting. No guns, explosives, modern technology, etc. Crossbows, bows, swords, etc are allowed.
-- There are other fantasy creatures.
-- Lioden and basic rules, please.
-- Dragons grow with age. None of the dragons will be very large at all.
-- I WILL make you go and edit your forum if it is not literate or as the descriptions say.
-- I will play the Rider of Oblaan to help the roleplay get along in the direction I'm aiming at, however, to avoid godmodding, he will not always be roleplayed.
-- Powerful characters are accepted, however they MUST have a tragic flaw to them, multiple please. See the Rider of Oblaan for an example of contradicting a powerful character with tragic flaws.
-- Yes, you guessed it, this is loosely based off of the Inheritance series. Dragons choose a rider and hatch for them, they can speak with their minds, and use magic. Riders do not have a gedwey inganasia.
-- Have fun!

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Use this forum for both Rider and dragon. Take out spaces of the < b > and < /b >. Mail me these. Please do not post them here.

< b >Name :< /b >
< b >Age :< /b > No dragon is to be older than ten years of age. That means the longest one has been a rider will be ten years at most.
< b >Gender :< /b >
< b >Sexuality :< /b >
< b >Race : < /b >
< b >Rank :< /b > If a member of the Riders. If a solitary Rider, put "Solitary Rider".
< b >Partner :< /b > The humanoid or draconian partner of the character. If not a rider yet, put N/A.
< b >Description :< /b > A paragraph. Image can be included along with.
< b >Personality :< /b > No "will play out".
< b >History :< /b > A paragraph.
< b >Family :< /b > Not everyone's family is dead.
< b >Relationship :< /b > Not with your own characters
< b >Weaknesses :< /b > No one is perfect. At least three.
< b >Rider :< /b > Yes or no and dragon name. If a dragon forum, give name of rider.
< b >Ed :< /b > Go back and read the rules.
< b >Other:< /b > Anything left out.

*

She wasn't sure when she had dozed off, but Sundari was awoken by their descent. The sun was still up, because it wasn't dark out, but the constantly clouded sky hid the sun from viewing, making it impossible for her to guess what time it was.

Have a good nap, Sundari? Ulalie asked, touching the ground lightly with her claws as they landed. We're here,

Sundari rubbed the sleep from her blue eyes, blinking a few times to adjust to the brightness of the landscape. Nothing but pure white. Snow and ice everywhere; she couldn't separate the mountains from the frozen ocean or the icy coastline. The glaciers, however, she could spot easily. They had an almost blue tint to them, and she could easily spot which one housed the new Riders.

It was a large glacier, obviously having frozen over eons before the rest. Large enough to house many full grown dragons and then the others as well. The entrance was gigantic and jagged, having been melted and then frozen back over countless times throughout the ages. Inside, all she saw was a dark blue. It was far too vast to spot anything from this far away, although she was sure there were dragons and Riders alike in there. As Ulalie walked closer, the size of the glacier overwhelmed their view until there was nothing but blue before them. She could hear voices echoing from within, but whatever they were saying was lost among the icy walls.

"I never thought we'd actually make it," Sundari blinked, looking around the glacial cavern from upon Ulalie's shoulders. Although the body warmth kept within the glacial cave called to them, she still felt the stinging wind kissing her face, and pulled the furred hood closer. "I don't even know where we'd meet anyone in here to join the Riders,"

Right there,Ulalie's voice mused to Sundari, and the human squinted her eyes to see through the blue. Sure enough, there were two people standing not too far off, but across the other side of the entrance.