Founded more than a thousand years ago by the human Paragon Alaric, the Dragonier was formed with the express purpose of fighting against the Elder Dragons. Their headquarters have moved around many times throughout the centuries, often as a result of being destroyed and rebuilt, but now with their ancient foes defeated, the Dragonier have set their roots upon the eastern slopes of the Stormwall Mountains where they are currently based in 'Cloudfall Keep', a fortress overlooking 'Wyvern Valley' where the last dragon nest cultivated by the Elder Dragons remains.
200 years after their reformation under the 'Last Dragonslayer' Temuro Khan, current grandmaster of the order, the Dragonier have transitioned from an order of dragon slayers to a peacekeeping force with their most notable action being the defence of Yolta against the Vaimese invaders, 30 years ago. For the most part however, before the current circumstances, their duties mainly consisted of patrolling the skies throughout the land of Tirn and responding to calls for aid, whether it be due to bandits or the control of dangerous beasts (particularly wild dragons).
Asides from their peacekeeping activities, the Dragonier raise and train their own mounts in Wyvern Valley, which is generally considered to be the
only place in Tirn where one can acquire a dragon since those found in the wild are exceedingly rare. To this end, care of the valley is entrusted to a 'Dragon Keeper' who is traditionally a human as it often takes a human lifespan for a dragon to mature from hatchling to a full adult. As juveniles, the dragons perceive their caretaker as a parent figure who teaches them to obey commands until reaching adulthood when they become fiercely independent, but still remember the lessons of their caretaker who by then will have passed their duty on to another.
It is these adult dragons that the Dragonier ride upon and for 200 years, the cost of entry into the order has remained the same. One must walk into Wyvern Valley and somehow tame a dragon on their own. A dangerous feat that has seen many would-be riders walk away in shame, bearing the scars of their failure, or sometimes not walking away at all, meeting their fates right there and then.
It is for this reason that only mages or those who have awakened are permitted entry into the valley as such individuals possessing the power of magic are not so likely to die. Still, merely possessing power is not enough to tame a dragon for such creatures are wilfully defiant and will not tolerate any to ride upon their backs. Not unless they prove themselves worthy masters by being able to ride at all.
For those already possessing a dragon, such a trial is not necessary for joining the Dragonier. Instead, a different trial is set where the aspirant must prove themselves in other ways. Often in the old ways dating back since the founding of the order when the Paragon Alaric tested those who would follow him in a sparring match where they were required to hold nothing back. It is a trial that grandmaster Temuro has often administered himself as the most powerful prana user among the Dragonier, but on occasions during his absence, another rider may set their own trial and serve as proctor.
