Post by Maira on May 10, 2008 21:39:24 GMT -5
The Brood are an ancient race, and rather small in population compared to other populations on Earth. Even among the various species of Dark Ones, the Brood aren’t common, but this is partially by choice. Many of the Brood remain in seclusion, away from humans and the other Dark Ones that dwell among them, because in ages past they were hunted nearly to the brink of extinction. Why? Some breathe fire, most fly, all are dragons.
Five main colors make up the different clans of the Brood: gold, red, green, blue and white. In that order they range from largest and strongest (physically), to smallest and weakest (physically). All are shape-changers and can take on 3 distinct forms, though two of them must be learned with time. The three forms are their human form, their Brood form, and their dragon form. All are born into their dragon form and the first form they are taught is their human form. Most Brood children have learned this form by the age of two as a method of self defense if ever stumbled upon by humans. Between birth and the age of 50 on average, all Brood live among only their own kind as they learn to control their elemental powers (one element specific to each color). Once they are judged to be in control, they are allowed to leave Brood lands and venture among the general population of earth. Only when they reach adolescence (in dragon terms) at 200 or so are they able to finally learn to take on their Brood form which is a combination of their human form and their dragon form.
Among the Brood, there are three kinds of outcasts. The first, and likely least looked down upon are the black Brood. They are born, extremely rarely, as a result of parents of different clans(colors) mating. More often than not, such matings result in offspring taking after one parent or the other. The second rank of outcasts, and likely the most pitied, are the Wingless. In their dragon and Brood forms, these Brood have no wings. As dragons they can still fly, though its more like floating by will power than flying, in their Brood form they cannot fly. Third, and worst, of the outcasts are the parents who’s mating has resulted in a black Brood. There are rules in place stating that no cross-color matings are allowed because of the risk of a possible resulting black Brood.
((For more specifics on each Brood clan/color, please keep reading.))
The Brood are run by a council of 10 members, two from each clan, one male and one female. Each council member is elected for a term of 100 years (or until they die/are killed). How they are elected is a bit violent, especially on the part of the males. Those who wish to be chosen for the Council, present themselves before their clan at their designated election time. Each candidate will present their reasons for why they feel they would be suited to be on the council, basically they give a list of their accomplishments and other positions they’ve held among their local clan group. From that point, those gathered vote for the candidate they want most and the top 8 of each gender move on to the next round. For the females, the next round is not so serious as the first as they are to be the “mediator” of the Council pair. They are randomly paired up and must fight in rounds until the winner is determined. For the females, the fighting lasts only to the first blood. For the males, it lasts until one is unconscious, seriously injured, or yields.
An eleventh member of the Council is known as the Head of the Council. This member can be of any color, and is elected only by the Council members. The process is much the same as Council member elections. The candidates present themselves every 25 years, give their reasons, and then fight. The biggest difference is, that males and females fight each other and the same rules are followed as for the male Council elections. Whatever color the Head of Council may be, once they attain that position they are to act neutrally. They are not to favor their own clan over any others and they are to think of the Brood as a whole before making any decisions. The main role of the Head of Council is to keep things moving smoothly and to act as the tie breaker in any decisions that are not easily decided on by the main Council members.
Each clan is run independently of each other, all have their own traditions and their own rules beyond those handed down to all clans by the Council. Also, each clan is split up into Clan Groups depending on where its members are located. Among the clan groups, there is always a Head Male, and a Head Female. The “elections” for these positions are much simpler as the population effected is much smaller. It is based purely on popular vote of those who present themselves. Typically these elections take place every ten years, but it can also vary from Clan Group to Clan Group. Some allow their Head members to hold that position until they wish to step down, some require the elections to take place every five years.
Five main colors make up the different clans of the Brood: gold, red, green, blue and white. In that order they range from largest and strongest (physically), to smallest and weakest (physically). All are shape-changers and can take on 3 distinct forms, though two of them must be learned with time. The three forms are their human form, their Brood form, and their dragon form. All are born into their dragon form and the first form they are taught is their human form. Most Brood children have learned this form by the age of two as a method of self defense if ever stumbled upon by humans. Between birth and the age of 50 on average, all Brood live among only their own kind as they learn to control their elemental powers (one element specific to each color). Once they are judged to be in control, they are allowed to leave Brood lands and venture among the general population of earth. Only when they reach adolescence (in dragon terms) at 200 or so are they able to finally learn to take on their Brood form which is a combination of their human form and their dragon form.
Among the Brood, there are three kinds of outcasts. The first, and likely least looked down upon are the black Brood. They are born, extremely rarely, as a result of parents of different clans(colors) mating. More often than not, such matings result in offspring taking after one parent or the other. The second rank of outcasts, and likely the most pitied, are the Wingless. In their dragon and Brood forms, these Brood have no wings. As dragons they can still fly, though its more like floating by will power than flying, in their Brood form they cannot fly. Third, and worst, of the outcasts are the parents who’s mating has resulted in a black Brood. There are rules in place stating that no cross-color matings are allowed because of the risk of a possible resulting black Brood.
((For more specifics on each Brood clan/color, please keep reading.))
The Brood are run by a council of 10 members, two from each clan, one male and one female. Each council member is elected for a term of 100 years (or until they die/are killed). How they are elected is a bit violent, especially on the part of the males. Those who wish to be chosen for the Council, present themselves before their clan at their designated election time. Each candidate will present their reasons for why they feel they would be suited to be on the council, basically they give a list of their accomplishments and other positions they’ve held among their local clan group. From that point, those gathered vote for the candidate they want most and the top 8 of each gender move on to the next round. For the females, the next round is not so serious as the first as they are to be the “mediator” of the Council pair. They are randomly paired up and must fight in rounds until the winner is determined. For the females, the fighting lasts only to the first blood. For the males, it lasts until one is unconscious, seriously injured, or yields.
An eleventh member of the Council is known as the Head of the Council. This member can be of any color, and is elected only by the Council members. The process is much the same as Council member elections. The candidates present themselves every 25 years, give their reasons, and then fight. The biggest difference is, that males and females fight each other and the same rules are followed as for the male Council elections. Whatever color the Head of Council may be, once they attain that position they are to act neutrally. They are not to favor their own clan over any others and they are to think of the Brood as a whole before making any decisions. The main role of the Head of Council is to keep things moving smoothly and to act as the tie breaker in any decisions that are not easily decided on by the main Council members.
Each clan is run independently of each other, all have their own traditions and their own rules beyond those handed down to all clans by the Council. Also, each clan is split up into Clan Groups depending on where its members are located. Among the clan groups, there is always a Head Male, and a Head Female. The “elections” for these positions are much simpler as the population effected is much smaller. It is based purely on popular vote of those who present themselves. Typically these elections take place every ten years, but it can also vary from Clan Group to Clan Group. Some allow their Head members to hold that position until they wish to step down, some require the elections to take place every five years.