[UNDER CONSTRUCTION]
The Akt’Anir
The Akt’Anir is a community of dragons that primarily lives in the French alps, near the border of Switzerland and Italy. They are spread out across several aboveground villages and connecting subterranean caves, much of which is kept hidden from humanity with the help of powerful magic.
The dragons had isolated themselves in these hidden enclaves for several thousand years.
Clans in Akt'Anir Society
Being in a clan comes with many advantages. The most obvious of these is access to a support network, including a chief and some amount of access to the vast wealth of a clan’s communal hoard. A dragon in a clan rarely ever truly falls on hard times, and is most often protected from harm at the hands of those outside the clan.
The clan chiefs have control over the affairs of their clans and the resources within them. They’re often responsible for adjudicating criminal or civil disputes internally. The Rukt’In chief, is considered the ultimate ruler of the Akt’Anir; however, it is traditionally expected for the Rukt’In chief to discuss matters that affect all Akt'Anir with the rest of the chiefs as a council, circumstances permitting. She also has judicial authority over the clanless, though she often delegates this authority to a lieutenant in her clan.
Clanless dragons are, materially and socially, a lower class within the Akt'Anir. However, the community as a whole still provides for them in some ways.
An Incomplete List of Clans
Clan Rukt’In has always been the largest and most politically powerful clan in the Akt’Anir. Currently, they have about 90 members, putting them several dozen members ahead of any other clan. Their ancestors founded the alliances that eventually became the Akt’anir. They are proud warriors, to an extent that even other dragons may find unusual. In their personal mythology, their ancestors were warriors who lived in a realm beyond earth. These mythical proto-Rukt’In were (as the story goes) such terrifying warriors that the gods stole much of their power and banished them to earth out of fear and jealousy. The extent to which the story is true is a matter of frequent academic debate. Their current chief is Fweiu Rukt’In. Rukt’In dragons are known for natural blue hair. As the clans intermarried, this trait has become a sign of high birth.
Clan Ehr’Sha is currently the second-largest clan. Their hoard includes a vast library, including ornately decorated, usually hand-written tomes full of Akt’Anir history, as well as histories of humans and of other supernatural beings. The favor or respect of Clan Ehr’Sha is a necessity for those who would study Akt'Anir history in great depth. Before Chief Fweiu Rukt’In ended her predecessor’s policy of isolation, Ehr’Sha’s favor was effectively a requirement for most advanced academic pursuits. Now their stranglehold on the highest levels of learning in the clan has loosened. Their current chief was elected democratically after the daughter of a previous chief stepped down.
Clan Ha’Un is the third largest clan. They’re known for fostering a culture of open-mindedness, and they pride themselves as innovators. Their hoard includes some magic items of their own creation. In the present day, they’ve done an excellent job of adapting to the community's involvement in the wider world, after Fweiu ended the policy of isolation. Their family has many ties with the Ehr’Sha. The current hereditary heir to the Ha’Un clan is Frysta; however, until he is old enough to take command, the clan is being ruled by one of his cousins, who has been appointed regent.
Clan Xol’Gran is currently the sixth-largest clan. Known for their unusual (for the Akt'Anir) yellowish hair. Discipline and restraint are highly valued in this clan, yet many of their members left the Akt’Anir during the schism over the Antarctic colony, lowering the clan’s standing from third to sixth largest. Their current chief is Vazgeg Xol'gran, but the writing is on the wall for him; many continue to criticize his handling of his people through the schism and are mounting a challenge to his rule.
Clan Roch’Der is currently the smallest of the major clans, but this should not be mistaken for a lack of power or influence. They have 15 members, who are by blood mainly earth dragons. Their control over stone and earth has given them key roles in mining, building caves, and agriculture. Their current clan leader, Herg Roch’Der, is an ancient dragon of 57539 years, making her the oldest surviving dragon in the community by a few millennia. It’s said that she’s been underground so long she hasn’t seen the light of day in centuries - and that she would prefer to keep it that way.
