Arkantos

ARKANTOS, A LEADER... (Written in Ark's POV...) Smoke and ash, these are the first things I remember. I gave a light cough as the heat dried my throat. Something stirred beside me, it was big with bright blue eyes and a gruff voice. "You're awake, are you? Well, aren't you lucky... You're about to see the world." This was my father's voice. I don't remember much about him, I only met him once before I left forever... I'm told that it was all pre-arranged. A dragon named Radio did a great service for my father's lair, and in return he asked for an apprentice. I guess it was just my luck that it should happen to be me. Radio was the leader of a small clan, and he owned a popular trade store. I learned quickly, sometimes working at the shop, and other times I observed the daily operations of the clan with Radio. In the store, I learnt confidence when conversing with others, as well as proper speaking etiquette and fairness. Surprisingly, I could use this experience to resolve conflicts within the clan. Soon, my words began to hold some weight to them.

Artwork by Sludgy

I became familiar with the dragons of my new home, and soon became friends with many of them. About 2 years after I arrived, I had taken over most of the daily clan operations from Radio. It seemed to happen without us actually realizing it, I still laugh about it sometimes. Looking after my clan is so rewarding, I couldn't imagine doing anything else. At this point, everyone had accepted me as the new clan leader. Radio held a large party to official celebrate the changing of leaders. Honestly, I think he was happy to be rid of the job! Less responsibility is more his style, and I don't blame him. Looking after the clan takes a lot of work, but I am happier for it.

My eyes betray me. In my heart I'm a light dragon. Although my first memory was of the Ashfall Wastes, my egg was actually laid shortly before my father moved away from the Tangled Wood. Sometimes I wonder if the Shadowbinder stole me away from the Lightweaver. It sounds silly when I say it out loud. Our clan is looked after by a lair spirit named Sludgy. Over the years I have received many gifts from our benefactor. It helped me become as close to a light dragon as possible. I was gifted with Sunchaser Jewellery, a Light Sprite, shimmering wings, and of course my very own golden stripes! My scales finally mirrored the feelings of my heart...

SOUTHERN SKYWAY RESPITE AND TRADE STATION

About 4 months after I joined this clan, we moved to the Southern Icefield. I have no idea why Radio decided to move us, all I can say is that he has a whimsical personality. Maybe he just wanted more space for our growing clan. Radio was very particular about the location. In the end, we found our icy residence in one of the slopes of the Cloudscrape Crags; bordering the Snowsquall Tundra. We built the our home into the side of one of the smaller mountains, where it is protected from the chilling wind by the surrounding larger mountains. This was where we founded the Southern Skyway; a respite and trade station for traveling dragons. The idea and planning was years in the making, with it's completion coinciding with Radio's fourth birthday. It was a brilliant business move, but I also know that Radio did it for the simple fact that there was a desperate need for respite in this unforgiving land. We cleared a massive amount of land in the mountain's interior when we started. More than half of the region was the station floors, three levels in total with areas for food, rest, and relaxation. The station's main entrance is located on the middle level, often called the main layer. Places to see...

IN THE MAIN LAYER:

RADIO'S RESUPPLY STATION

His little station within the station. Radio is very pleased with his store. During the planning of the Southern Skyway interior, he selfishly allocated a large area for his store to be built. The location is also a prime spot for foot traffic as traveling dragons come and go. Of course, everyone understood that this was his privilege as the clan's founder, but some dragons still shoot him a few envious glances as he tends to his store. Radio's store sells, buys, and trades all types of travel goods. Preserved foods and warm clothes make up a large portion of his stock. He also buys and sells tools with the help of the forge downstairs. However, Radio has a somewhat lax personality so he hired a helper to manage the store with him. His daughter, Illoria, now works at his shop and is the one who does most of heavy lifting.

SOUTHERN COURIER SERVICE

Originally it started with Atavus doing a few odd jobs for the dragons visiting the station. The jobs consisted of passing items or notes to friends or family in neighboring areas in exchange for food or small tools. As the months passed, our station became a popular hub of activity with many dragons passing through. I helped Atavus open a delivery service and Niiloi offered to help him run it, both spirals are extremely fast flyers. They don't service the entire Icefields, but they can effectively cover a quarter of the entire land with their schedule. Other areas have their own mail systems which parcels from our station can be delivered to if they need to go further. There is some talk about a mail service to the main land, but the plans have only just started being discussed.

INFORMATION DESK

It's one of the first places you see when walking (or flying) through the main entrance. I put Sahtunim in charge of this area. He always has a very eloquent way of speaking and he was happy to talk to the new arrivals. He really is well suited to the role, somehow he is always able to stay appraised of the latest news in the station. I wonder how he does it? Next to him is his mate, Sansa. They work well together in many aspects, not just as mates. Sansa helps Sahtunim at the information desk when things get busy. She's also in charge of the station's Lost and Found counter at the information desk. Many dragons and familiars pass though here, but some of them don't leave with all of their possessions. I admit that this is unfortunate, but most of the time it's accidental and not theft.

BARON'S BAR AND GRILL

Baron and Warden, who joined the clan month earlier than I did, set up "Baron's Bar and Grill" near the main entrance of the station. The restaurant caters to any dragon's diet, with Baron showing off his skills as a short order cook while Warden takes the orders. They have a decent size brewery behind their kitchen where Warden makes her popular ale for the customers.

THE ICY NOOK INN

The Icy Nook Inn is the only place within the Southern Skyway for traveling dragons to lodge at, making this family-run accommodation require a large space to facilitate all the new arrivals. The Inn is a type of bed and breakfast, which spans two levels of the station; the only service to do so. The Icy Nook Inn has 62 rooms available. These rooms range from signal occupant rooms to those that can accommodate up to four dragons at a time. Artieno and her brother Zeitgeist greet the guests and see to their needs. Einhart, Zeitgeist’s mate, handles the bed and breakfast side of things. Every morning she prepares a buffet style breakfast to feed the guests. Originally, the inn wanted to sell food all day, rather than just breakfast. However, I put a stop to that to give the other Station store a fair chance at selling their goods. In return, they were allowed to hold the exclusive accommodation rights within the station, and they agreed. I'm glad they did; there just wasn't enough space for a hotel or camping ground when we opened. Of course, it's not uncommon for some travellers to camp outside if they are equipped for it.

SOUTHERN SKYWAY SECURITY

As sad as it is for me to admit this, a large trading station like ours does invite it's fair share of pretty crimes. It's usually nothing serious, but it would quickly get out of hand if it wasn't for our dedicated security team. Their office is located right next to the Free Market, a place where any traveller can set up a temporary store on the ground; free of charge. The security head is Commander Kodachi. He and his lieutenants; Pazise, Xatrel and Haze, are always on the lookout for suspicious dragons or overly unusual happenings. Communication and organisation is of key importance in this job, so they have hired Rinko (a fae with an photographic memory) to help with their operations. As a team, they have solved and prevented many conflicts within the Station, and I'm very grateful to them all.

ZOMBIE'S CARTOGRAPHY

A large Guardian has filled this store with her own personal artwork... Well, map work. Zombie spent her youth traveling around Sornieth before deciding to settle down here. Along with her creative claws, her excellent memory allows her to re-produce and sell fairly accurate maps. Of course, all things change with time, which is why she’s always on the look-out to purchase new charts from visiting dragons.

SWORDS AND SCALES

Next to Radio's Resupply Store is a shop run by two Wildclaws. Warsong and Overlord stock an impressive array of weapons and armour at Sword and Scales. Swords are popular among dragons, but staves and bows are top sellers too. It has everything a dragon needs to fight off the Beastclans. They can even give private training lessons, but I'm told it's rather bloody... you're better off going to Titan's Training Grounds. Along with buying, selling, and trading equipment, they can also put travelers in touch with mercenaries. For a small fee, these hired escorts can be provided to give traveling dragons as a way to “protect” themselves while moving around the Icefields. Needless to say, its a booming business in this uncertain land. The top mercenaries in the clan are Hydrogen, Outlander, Enchanting, and Krein.

WALTZING RATS

This bar near the back of the Station. Some dragons think it’s strange to name a bar after a dancing vermin, but smarter dragons know that it’s named after the owner, Waltz, and “RATS” is simply the acronym of “Respite and Trade Station.” Waltz is helped by his offsider Retro. I make sure that Kodachi keeps on eye on this place, I have a feeling that some shady deals go down there.

LAZY LANTERNS

Somehow, this store seems to be floating in mid air. A pillar from the lower layer extends up to the main layer to hold up this lantern store, making it appeal like it's namesake. Lazy Lanterns is run by Saki, a cheerful Wildclaw who loves to make and sell his own lanterns. His store is very small, and I'm told that he makes his lanterns elsewhere.

JABBA SNACK

Jabba Snack is the quick and easy food shop that's right next to the Free Market and Arboretum. It's great location inside the Station makes it a popular place to grab a quick bite to eat. Jabberwocky runs this store while caring for her friend Wabbajack... He's not much help, but he sure likes to eat snacks. The main snack items on the menu are drinks, sandwiches, burgers, pies, chips, and a selection of sweets. Most of the menu is available in different food types to suit all dragons, and it's all made fresh every day. Customers can get something on the go, or they can sit out on the deck to eat while enjoying a view of the Arboretum. I feel like Jabberwocky's excellent multitasking skills might be wasted in this field, but she's happy. The customers are happy too. I can't complain.

TO BE ADDED TO THE MAIN LAYER:

BAROQUE'S BOOKS AND WRITING SUPPLIES, ONI SCROLLS, CACTUS CORNER, ARBORETUM, SOUTHERN SKYWAY CLINIC, ARTIFACTUALS,

THE TOP LAYER:

CLOUDSCAPE CAFE

This cafe takes up a large area due to its popularity, and is divided into both inside and outside sections. Cloud keeps the inside warm for his traveling patrons by distributing Will ‘o the Embers around key places in the seating area. The cafe’s interior opens onto a large patio which is barely sheltered from the snow. It’s much colder out here, and an icy wind blows at times. Regardless of this, a lot of dragons brave the chill to admire the scenery.

SOUTHERN SKYWAY LIBRARY

Across from the Cloudscape Cafe is a library. Its modest in size, but no one would call it grand. That doesn't seem to bother the librarian though. Krychek allows any dragon with a thirst for knowledge to come into his library and read the books for free. He only asks that the books stay in his library, and any food and liquids stay out. Two days a week, he holds a workshop for dragons learning to read and write. The double story library doesn't end there. Off to the side is a private entrance with stairs leading upwards to an Observatory. This level isn't on the official station plans. Krychek personally commissioned the Nocturne Construction Guild to make it into a quite work-space. Most of the room taken up by a large telescope used by his daughter Yana. The Observatory room is very close to the outside of the mountain, allowing the roof to open out and the stars to be revealed.

SOVEREIGN SUNDAES

Positioned immediately above the Information Desk is this ice-cream store. You might think that no dragons would want anything to do with these frozen treats in the icy Icefield, but you'd be surprised. I know I was! The store is run by Sovereign and his mate Alsydia. They have a nice selection of differently flavours to suit all tastes. Sorbets are available for the lactose intolerant dragons.

TO BE ADDED TO THE TOP LAYER: STARS AT DUSK, RABBLES' CREATIVE CUTS, SOUTHERN SKYWAY BATH HOUSE, RaY BAKERY, INFUSED WITH TEA, CRYPTO OPTOMETRIST, MIDNIGHT EMPORIUM, AURORA ALTERATIONS,

THE LOWER LAYER (CRAFTSMAN'S LAYER):

SMELT MY HEART METALWORKS

This store is owned by Inventor and Brimstone. The couple set up a massive furnace in the lowest level of the station, heating it and the layers above. The smoke and soot is extracted out through iron pipes which travel along the ceiling and in the walls, eventually reaching the frigid air outside. The entire piping, heating and plumbing systems were created by them, as well as a lot of internal structures and fixtures. They worked closely with the Nocturne Construction Crew and to bring the station together into what it is today. Now, they set to work repairing the various tools and equipment brought in by the travelers, but they still have time to work on their mysterious inventions. Heavy hammer strikes sound out from within their store at all hours.

NOCTURNE CONSTRUCTION CREW

This crew of Nocturnes created most of the Southern Skyway. They were responsible for constructing the stores, living spaces, internal facades and even the station’s furniture. Of course, a portion of help came from the Metalworks forge. They hold a large area across from the Metalworks store where they dedicate themselves to their trade. All types of wood or masonry work can be done by them, anything from designing floor plans to putting the finishing touches on a magnificently carved stone sculpture. As a guild, they not only service the station and its visitors, but also the neighbouring areas. Their superior workmanship has been recognised by many, so they are sometimes called out to take part in large construction projects. Our Nocturnes are a close-knit group that share everything like a family. However, this can cause squabbles to break out among them. Minotaur is in charge of keeping order, but I am often called down when things get out of control. Their “family” consists of the senior builder; Asomnio, and the guild team of KillerBee, Tuff, Igneous, Vanquish and Minotaur -who is their foreman.

SLIME'S CLEANING FACTORY

Not a shop per se. In fact, this place at the lowest level of the station doesn't see any customers. Slime and his army of Radioactive Slimes come out during the late hours of the night to remove all the grime from the stations floors, walls and ceilings as they absorb it into their bodies. During the day, all the station's unwanted trash is delivered to their holding area as food to eat. Strangely enough, the Slimes themselves are cleaner than most dragons... and don't worry, I'm told that Slime treats his pets with a special medical mixture to make them non-toxic.

To be added: glassblower, paper maker, leather worker, WICKS AND WAX, RYN'S REMEDIES, STATION MAINTENANCE

PORT PROVIDENCE

There place is connected to the large craftsman's layer. At the bottom level of the station is a large entrance that gushes a much colder air, yet a lot of dragons seem to be coming and going through this passage. Inside is Port Providence; named after its founder. A huge underground cavern filled with deep seawater is the home of this port, with a 1km long tunnel connecting it to the ocean. This was another reason that the clan chose their new lair so close to the coastline. The port can accommodate 2 large Galleon-type ships, and up to 4 smaller Frigate class ships. About 12 ships of various sizes come through here every week. It is all overseen by Providence and his assistant Jenkins. Off to the side are several warehouses for visiting dragons to store their goods. This area is managed by Rah and Radiant, with a cut of their profits going back to Providence.

NOBLE SLUSHIE MAKER

This strange name belongs to one of the Galleon type ships that frequents at the Providence Port. Its captain goes by the name Ouranos. His main crew consists of Autolycus, Solitude, Tempest, Nine, YouLostTheGame, and first-mate Lord Vegemite. They might look like pirates, but they're actually hard working sailors.

MORE SOON.........
Titan's Training grounds,


Needs to be re-written to line up with description in lore novel White, Rocks, and Ruins: The other half of the excavated interior was made into one massive area on the other side of the mountain. This was, of course, our private home. Our lair was already located there from before we started the excavation, but this has given us more room to move with our growing clan. The area is large enough for us to live, play, sleep, and nest in. It even had a back exit to the Snowsquall Tundra where we can spread our wings and hunt for food.


^^ By Mitchy ^^

Arkantos Gijinka by LadyAaron.................. Arkantos Gijinka by Sludgy