Stormherald Culture
This page provides information on city-dwelling stormheralds. Read about nomadic stormheralds here.
Traditionally stormheralds are named after dangerous, chaotic and otherwise unexpected things. Some examples are:
Nomadic stormheralds have a different naming scheme, older than their city-dwelling brethren.
- Mayhem, Madness, Mishap, Fluke
- Typhoon, Fever, Quicksand
- Miracle, Gift, Lottery, Raffle
Nomadic stormheralds have a different naming scheme, older than their city-dwelling brethren.
During their previous nomadic lifestyle, it was typical for stormheralds to give their dead lavish burials and entombing them with their most prized possessions in glass deep within the desert. Although some still practice this, after they began to industrialize, most moved on to a more practical method of dealing with the dead.
Instead, they have a day-long funeral where the dead are mourned, their greatest achievements recognized, and their will read and acted out. The following day, a gathering of local dragons is called on top of their relatives, and they spit a continuous blast of lightning until the body has been obliterated.
Instead, they have a day-long funeral where the dead are mourned, their greatest achievements recognized, and their will read and acted out. The following day, a gathering of local dragons is called on top of their relatives, and they spit a continuous blast of lightning until the body has been obliterated.
Stormheralds use a mix of stone, glass, metal, sand, concrete, and adobe for their structures. Buildings are tall and built strong, with reinforced centres, lots of windows, and electric lights. Buildings from fifty or more years ago tend to be simple rectangular shapes, but more recent constructions take wild, curving shapes that seem like they shouldn’t be as stable as they are.
Poorer stormheralds live in mud and stone homes; while the materials used are simple, the skill by which the lower classes use them is impressive, and the exteriors are often painted with handmade pigments in intricate and beautiful patterns. These need to be constantly maintained, especially in the rainy season, to prevent the walls from wearing away.
Poorer stormheralds live in mud and stone homes; while the materials used are simple, the skill by which the lower classes use them is impressive, and the exteriors are often painted with handmade pigments in intricate and beautiful patterns. These need to be constantly maintained, especially in the rainy season, to prevent the walls from wearing away.
Stormheralds are quite fond of the arts, at least what can be easily put or listened to in public spaces.
Music is recorded onto records and can be played using a gramophone for personal enjoyment, while early radio technology is available in some cities and can be listened to at most times of the day. The current favourite genre is jazz, and you can find plenty of young stormherald bands playing music on the streets in any city.
As for visual arts, sculpture and art installations are favoured. Ranging from clay to massive metal constructs, it’s common practice to have work react to electrical input, and move or glow in response. Painting and drawing aren’t unappreciated, of course, just less prominent save for use to create advertisements.
Music is recorded onto records and can be played using a gramophone for personal enjoyment, while early radio technology is available in some cities and can be listened to at most times of the day. The current favourite genre is jazz, and you can find plenty of young stormherald bands playing music on the streets in any city.
As for visual arts, sculpture and art installations are favoured. Ranging from clay to massive metal constructs, it’s common practice to have work react to electrical input, and move or glow in response. Painting and drawing aren’t unappreciated, of course, just less prominent save for use to create advertisements.
The Ibex Symphony
A famous orchestra made up of the most talented and refined members of the Society of Music, performing the most traditional and well-loved songs of the stormheralds for visiting dignitaries. Only does classical music.
Occasionally may be seen performing in Sapphire or the Spire as well, and very rarely get hired in larger cities in Ironbrook, such as Zenith and Victoria.
Viewed as the orchestra in stormherald territory but as something for ‘old geezers’ and ‘stuffy society members’. Jazz bands and other, smaller groups are more popular with the masses and the younger generations.
Notable songs are:
Occasionally may be seen performing in Sapphire or the Spire as well, and very rarely get hired in larger cities in Ironbrook, such as Zenith and Victoria.
Viewed as the orchestra in stormherald territory but as something for ‘old geezers’ and ‘stuffy society members’. Jazz bands and other, smaller groups are more popular with the masses and the younger generations.
Notable songs are:
- The Liege’s Approach (national anthem of the stormheralds)
- Rain Over the Cascades
- Night Thunder
- The Cries of Stormcell (an experimental song featuring less traditional instruments, like metal pipes and electric runes. Not very popular and rarely performed.)
Radio technology has existed in the Republic of the Spire since its invention in 477 A.E.D., though only become widespread in the late 480s. There are several well-known stations throughout their territory:
- Sounds from the Spire - run by the Society of Music, mix of songs and some government announcements
- Weather Station - run by the Society of Astronomy, provides weather forecasts and reports on any natural disasters. There's an offshoot of this radio station in every major city, especially those along the coast.
- The News Station - run by a mix of Society members and reporters, provides constant updates on news in stormherald territory and important stories across the Realm. There are also other, more minor news stations in the Republic, though they are highly regulated to prevent the spread of misinformation.
- Ibex Radio - run by a team similar to that of the official News Station. Has a mix of the best music in the Republic, as well as discussions about technological innovations and various sights in the city.
- Sapphire Radio - fancy radio in a fancy city. Only plays classical music, but also doesn’t have any ads because it’s sponsored by the rich, obscure creator of the city and doesn’t need them.
- Stormcell Radio - the official radio of Stormcell. Used to mark the start/end of shifts, remind workers of the laws in the city, announce any curfews that are put in place, and occasionally ads about different work opportunities for those with certain types of experience.
- Thundershower Radio - another radio station that periodically appears, is removed, and then resurfaces in Stormcell. It’s a mix of newfangled music - various forms of rock and jazz - and coded messages that the Societies believe are being used to organize riots and strikes in the city.
- Wildport Radio - an eclectic little radio in Wildport. Broadcasts a mix of news, weather forecasts, and spicy songs that are a mix of rock, jazz, and sea shanties. The radio personality is a former nomadic stormherald named Petrichor, known for his sporadic poetry about the sea and desert.
Stormherald fashion is usually quite minimalist; plain metal necklaces or rings or simple cloth garments, and often bear the mark of the Society they have membership of.
An exception to this is in the case of tech; stormheralds with access to recent inventions love to incorporate them into their clothing somehow, even if the result is useless, to show off.
An exception to this is in the case of tech; stormheralds with access to recent inventions love to incorporate them into their clothing somehow, even if the result is useless, to show off.
Stormheralds love to cook, and use a wide variety of ingredients in their cuisine:
- Dates
- Watermelons
- Apples
- Pears
- Tomatoes
- Green onions
- Cucumbers
- Corn
- Hot peppers are a particular favourite
- Bell peppers
- Radishes
- Carrots
- Cabbage
- Soybeans
- Squash
- Spinach
- Alfalfa (not usually eaten by dragons, but used to feed livestock)
- Millet
- Sorghum
- Cactus fruit
- Figs
- Eggs
- Meat (commonly goat, mutton, camel or chicken)
- Couscous
- Fish (for those who live near the ocean or rivers)
- Due to the heat, milk is extremely rare and very expensive
- A large variety of spices imported from across the Realm
The Thundercrack Cascades and the surrounding regions is a land of extremes, and the stormheralds are no different. While the wealthiest and most advanced of dragons, they also have the greatest disparity between their upper and lower classes. The poor live in squalor, often left with no choice but to resort to crime to make ends meet, while the rich enjoy lavish lifestyles.
Powerful crime lords hold as much power, in many cases, as high-ranking officials, with veritable armies of minions and access to vast amounts of wealth. One in particular - a stormherald known as ‘Ratatat’ - is quickly becoming a serious threat to the rulers of the Thundercrack Cascades.
Powerful crime lords hold as much power, in many cases, as high-ranking officials, with veritable armies of minions and access to vast amounts of wealth. One in particular - a stormherald known as ‘Ratatat’ - is quickly becoming a serious threat to the rulers of the Thundercrack Cascades.
The stormheralds once practiced an ancient religion during their nomadic origins, but slowly abandoned their old beliefs over time, and now very few modern dragons practice it, and are instead either only somewhat spiritual, agnostic, or atheist.
The old religion is still practiced in remote regions by the small remaining number of nomads who roam the deep desert to this day, although they have little contact with the outside world and are small in number. The desert nomads and the city-dwelling stormheralds have somewhat tense relations; all stormheralds have nomadic roots, however many generations back, but the city-dwellers view those who choose to continue living unsettled lives in the desert as being backwards and strange.
The old religion is still practiced in remote regions by the small remaining number of nomads who roam the deep desert to this day, although they have little contact with the outside world and are small in number. The desert nomads and the city-dwelling stormheralds have somewhat tense relations; all stormheralds have nomadic roots, however many generations back, but the city-dwellers view those who choose to continue living unsettled lives in the desert as being backwards and strange.
While seen as important, not all stormheralds can afford education, or to send their children to school. For the upper and middle classes, this is of little concern, as they can easily afford the fees and think of it as nothing but a formality to show that a student is ‘serious’. These schools are some of the best in the Realm, after all.
For the poorest stormheralds, there is little option save to teach yourself, which doesn’t exactly look nice on a resume. Some Societies may try to offer free education, but these efforts are always underfunded and overworked and the quality suffers as a result. They mainly exist to sort out any young geniuses from the rabble, who may be taken under the wing of a senior member of the Society and given a scholarship to a better educational institution.
The premier place to seek out higher learning is, of course, the College of the Spire. Located on the lower floors of the very capital itself, the College is run by a collaborative effort between the Societies, with some of the most prominent and talented scholars from across the Realm teaching classes. It is the place to go for those looking to gain influence, and attracts both human and dragon students from across the Realm, but is notoriously difficult to get into.
Entrance into the College of the Spire requires one pass a rigorous exam; only the top two hundred are allowed into the school each year. This is not the only requirement, however; in order to remain in the College, each applicant must become a member of one of the Societies - which one depends on what they’d like to study in the future - before the second year. Only a third tend to make it to that point, but those who graduate from the College do so with connections within the Republic's government, and usually with that of other nations in the Realm as well.
For the poorest stormheralds, there is little option save to teach yourself, which doesn’t exactly look nice on a resume. Some Societies may try to offer free education, but these efforts are always underfunded and overworked and the quality suffers as a result. They mainly exist to sort out any young geniuses from the rabble, who may be taken under the wing of a senior member of the Society and given a scholarship to a better educational institution.
The premier place to seek out higher learning is, of course, the College of the Spire. Located on the lower floors of the very capital itself, the College is run by a collaborative effort between the Societies, with some of the most prominent and talented scholars from across the Realm teaching classes. It is the place to go for those looking to gain influence, and attracts both human and dragon students from across the Realm, but is notoriously difficult to get into.
Entrance into the College of the Spire requires one pass a rigorous exam; only the top two hundred are allowed into the school each year. This is not the only requirement, however; in order to remain in the College, each applicant must become a member of one of the Societies - which one depends on what they’d like to study in the future - before the second year. Only a third tend to make it to that point, but those who graduate from the College do so with connections within the Republic's government, and usually with that of other nations in the Realm as well.
Common stormherald occupations are:
- Artist
- Cook/chef
- Craftsman
- Cartographer
- Dentist
- Desert nomad
- Doctor
- Electrician
- Engineer
- Explorer
- Firefighter
- Fisherman
- Farmer
- Harvest Mage
- Member of a crime group
- Merchant
- Musician
- Maid
- Nurse
- Power plant worker
- Pickpocket
- Scavenger
- Shepherd
- Society Member
- Soldier
- Servant
- Sailor
- Skyship captain/crew member
- Tailor
- Teacher
- Travelling trader
Stormherald parents are infamous for being stern parents who expect a great deal from their children, especially if they themselves are successful. Young dragons are expected to make their own way upon reaching adulthood and support themselves, and at the same time to make choices that reflect well upon their parents. The child of a successful architect is expected to follow in their footsteps; if they decided instead to become a member of, say, the Society of Music, it would be quite scandalous.
The lower classes are far less strict and usually live with multiple generations in a single home in order to be able to afford something at least marginally nice. The crime factions running rampant are often more traditionally like a happy family than what is common for the upper and middle classes, which can be a draw for those not typically inclined by circumstance to join them.
The lower classes are far less strict and usually live with multiple generations in a single home in order to be able to afford something at least marginally nice. The crime factions running rampant are often more traditionally like a happy family than what is common for the upper and middle classes, which can be a draw for those not typically inclined by circumstance to join them.
The traditional tongue of the stormheralds, known as ‘sky speak’ is nearly a lost language. Only a few desert nomads still speak it, and many of their oldest structures and records will soon become indecipherable. Some members of the Society of History are attempting to save the language, but only time will tell if they succeed.
All other stormheralds speak and are taught the common tongue of the Realm, a language built to unite the two continents and make trade and conversation easier for all.
All other stormheralds speak and are taught the common tongue of the Realm, a language built to unite the two continents and make trade and conversation easier for all.
Stormheralds are the most technologically advanced civilization in the Realm, equalled only by Ironbrook. They have gramophones and early radio technology, automated factory machines, electric lighting, heating, and cooling, as well as networks of trains to carry heavy loads across their territory, among a wide variety of other inventions. Early development has been made into the creation of artillery and other weapons of war.
Magic is also used to supplement existing technology, with the Society of Runesmiths using their craft to create machines that don’t need a Stormherald to power them, to make structures far more durable than naturally possible, or even to construct Skyships, based on the ones created in Ironbrook.
Magic is also used to supplement existing technology, with the Society of Runesmiths using their craft to create machines that don’t need a Stormherald to power them, to make structures far more durable than naturally possible, or even to construct Skyships, based on the ones created in Ironbrook.
The stormheralds are far ahead in healthcare to most of the Realm thanks to the efforts of the Society of Medicine, even if they have been maligned by the others for trying to make their remedies and research accessible for everyday people.
There are treatments available for many illnesses as well as increasingly more effective surgeries. The Society of Alchemy has also contributed to this in more recent years, providing somewhat miraculous cures that heal wounds far quicker than thought possible.
Many components for both magical and mundane medicine are imported from two locations in particular; the jungles of the springsingers and the marshes of Padwell.
There are treatments available for many illnesses as well as increasingly more effective surgeries. The Society of Alchemy has also contributed to this in more recent years, providing somewhat miraculous cures that heal wounds far quicker than thought possible.
Many components for both magical and mundane medicine are imported from two locations in particular; the jungles of the springsingers and the marshes of Padwell.
To the rest of the Realm, the stormheralds and their Republic of the Spire is respected as a bastion of learning, both in the sciences and magical arts. While they may sometimes be characterized as being a bit stuffy or arrogant, they are undeniably one of the more technologically advanced nations of the Realm. The stormheralds prefer to stay out of regional politics, and choose to remain neutral wherever possible.
Ironbrook
The closest ally of the stormheralds is Ironbrook; they collaborate on scientific and magical pursuits and individuals from both countries visit each other to study and enroll at their educational institutes. It is not uncommon for scientists and scholars from Ironbrook to be given honorary membership in one of the Societies to recognize their achievements.
Meros
They also have strong trade relations with Meros; it helps them get goods from across the Realm that might otherwise be difficult to obtain, while the stormheralds are willing to spend excessive amounts of money on the right goods.
Bitterpeak Kingdom
The stormheralds couldn't care less about the windwyrms and their aggressively isolationist policies. While some individuals are indeed fascinated with their avian neighbours, the rumours of stormheralds successfully disguising themselves to trade and interact with them are just that; rumours.
Jhudsur Forest
The stormheralds generally have a positive relationship with their springsinger neighbours to the south. It’s very common for them to trade and travel into their territory to attend festivals hosted by springsinger colonies.