Difference between revisions of "Dragoon"
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Revision as of 08:48, 22 February 2007
TOTALLY
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ROUGH
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Contents
[hide]Historically
Lancers and dragoons
196 B.T. -- 111 B.T.
The birth of dragoons lies with the country of Riva and begins with its lancers. Today, a large portion of central Rivan land has been deforested and often flattened, made suitable for farming, but while Riva was still Doman territory the land was dense forest and home to a number of unfriendly beasts. Settlers who found themselves in a pinch would use for weapons and defense whatever they had handy--such as pitchforks and staves, or specially fashioned items out of spare lumber or fallen tree limbs.
As the settlers grew better accustomed to surviving in the land, the lance became a favored weapon, and general skill in using lance-type weapons increased as a necessity. As Riva grew quietly discontent with southern rule, training became even more enthusiastic. With a military force to support their request, Riva's independence was won from Doma quite bloodlessly.
History shows clearly the prominence lancers took in early Rivan culture. Immediately after the country's founding, the main military force continued to consist primarily of lancers, only later to be supplemented by other types of fighters and mages. Training in lancing became increasingly more advanced, until such time that lancers were highly trained individuals which much of the nation idolized and revered.
As Riva developed and their military had the luxury of designing fancier gear, the armor of lancers grew more elaborate. The armor created on the hush, prior to independence, were made to imitate some of the more ferocious of the local beasts. The idea had been--besides to have armor--to show distinctly Rivan origins and to intimidate.
The armor had a redesign some time after the country settled into peace. There were many debates as to what the armor should look like--if the creature motif should be kept or not, and if so, what creature it should be. In the end, it was decided that any smith who wanted to submit a design could do so and the best would be chosen. Practicality would be considered first, the representation of 'distinctly Rivan' second, and how it looked third.
The winning design, as it turned out, would be a set of armor heavily inspired by dragons. The armor won for three primary reasons; [1] the dragons of Riva were among the few creatures native to the land who not hostile to the newcomers, [2] dragons are known in legend for strength and wisdom, and [3] the armor, simply, looked good. The helmet was most dragon-like, resembling the corresponding dragon head; the rest was, for the most part, simply well-designed armor. Decorating the armor at each elbow are ornate but small decorations resembling fins, something which also appears on the boots.
It was this design which attacted the Goddess of dragons, Ryuugami, to the Rivan lancers. Ryuugami, understandably, likes dragons, and was eager to learn more about these people who chose to model their armor after them. The goddess educated the Rivan humans about the reclusive dragons of the homeland and--ever eager to share her interests with others--began to introduce them to each other.
After finding out that, no, they really didn't want to be dragons, Ryuugami offered to the lancers a more palatable deal: if they would like, she could lend knowledge, powers, blessings and good health to faithful lancers. In return, said lancers would worship her and--naturally--help defend and aid the dragonkind of the area.
Only a few lancers agreed at first. When Ryuugami turned out to really be a goddess and actually keep her end of the deal, more signed up. Over the course of roughly three generations--while lancers still remained--the Rivan military's lancers had completely been replaced by dragoons: the word which had developed to distinguish between lancers who had and had not agreed to Ryuugami's deal.
Dragon knights
A dragon knight is one of a pair where there is a mount--usually a dragon or griffon--and a rider--usually a human or dwarf, sometimes an elf. Dragon knights are similar to dragoons in that they often worship Ryuugami, and some dragoons of early Riva were also dragon knights.
Dragon knights have their beginning in 433 EP when fighting broke out between humans and dwarves in what is now northern Riva. Each group worked with small factions of dragons and griffons in an attempt to gain the upper hand over their opponent, but in the end, the only thing achieved was a stalemate. Both sides conceded with shame.
The griffons and dragons, however, did not simply leave. Having made lasting bonds with their riders and comrades, they stayed and helped each side rebuild. Here, at the border of Solasia and Riva, the dragon knights have their origin. The phenomenon took off most fantastically with the mixed citizenry of Solasia.
Dragon knights from this time and throughout the history of Solasia worshipped Ryuugami, as well as some human and dwarven deities. The title grew to have distinct connotations of responsibility, and dragon knights as a whole came to develop honor codes and duties--popularly, it was felt that a dragon knight was to work to maintain the peace of his homeland. Today's dragon knights, of whom there are many less than before, vary in religious observances and feelings of obligations..
