sphinxblack's Clan

ward 0 is a secretive and peculiar organisation of dragons based in the wandering contagion with the nebulous cause of biological experimentation, born purely of the feverish desire of the mortal to know more of its own mortality, even gain some minor degree of control over it.

ward 0 exists, it seems, purely to utilise their land's element of plague and pestilence, often straining aspects of it into applicable forms to be tested on creatures living or dead. kidnappings are frequently conducted by members of ward 0 specifically chosen for that role, in order to attain new test subjects - and new members. for the latter, brainwashing is a regular practice, as those kidnapped are usually very young indeed.

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matriarch - also referred to as the head practitioner/master nurse. manages all goings-on and directs the general action of the organisation, and the direction of their research. has the leading seat in a private council of superiors which govern ward. she chooses the other members of this council, and always makes the final decision in their discussions.

head surgeon - extremely proficient surgeon tasked with supervising and ruling over all other medical practitioners in ward. has a seat alongside the matriarch in the private council which makes prime decisions.

head scholar - extremely proficient scholar tasked with supervising and ruling over all other researchers in scientific advancement in ward. has a seat alongside the matriarch in the private council which makes prime decisions.

head undertaker - expert procurer and caretaker of cadavers and organic materials, tasked with supervising and ruling over all other body-capturing ghouls, and also snatchers, in ward. has a seat alongside the matriarch in the private council which makes prime decisions.

provost - headmaster over all minders, and supervisor of the organisation and education of all young charges brought into the ward's capacity. has a seat alongside the matriarch in the private council which makes prime decisions.

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surgeons - medical practitioners of varying specialities. study generally in biological, medicinal and anatomical brackets. some act purely within the margins of directed practical work, while others record and pioneer in research to further ward's knowledge.

scholars - scientists, theorists, and logicists of varying specialities. study in multiple departments, including local and otherwise medically relevant horticulture, psychology and functions of the draconic mind, and even astronomy. all scholars are to work to develop their own individual research to grow ward's knowledge base collaboratively.

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ghouls - grave robbers, secret body dealers, and murderers. acquire corpses and other similarly difficult to attain organic materials, for the purpose of the surgeons' research. ghouls need not meet many requirements, outside of excellence in stealth, cunning, and initiative.

snatchers - kidnappers of live dragons. acquire eggs and post-hatched youths to be taken into care of ward as charges, as well as dragons outside of that bracket of age, usually to serve as patients.

nurses - carers of patients, often also doubling as psychiatrists. supervise those who have been captured to be used as fodder for the surgeons and scholars. typically they work to maintain a constant sedation in patients, both by calming attitude and concocted drugs from plants. some nurses are also herbalists.

minders - educators and carers of charges. experts in delivering slyly fed information aiming to brainwash. many strive to keep an almost parental guise, so as not to excite any incentive of rebellion in charges.

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charges - young dragons captured, purchased, or in any way acquired by ward and taken into supervised care to be grown into roles which they qualify for. those which never qualify are often converted to patient status. attended, educated and overseen by minders who ideally treat them strictly and austerely.

patients - living fodder to be used by the surgeons and scholars for experimentation in all kinds of studies and trials. treated with little regard for wellbeing beyond basic health.

dogsbodies - charges without intellectual prowess but possessing of other, baser skills and qualities, such as great strength, may be later employed as dogsbodies, who perform menial tasks within or outside the lair.

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inmates - prisoners of ward, kept trapped in cells and entirely lacking in rights equal even to a patient or charge. a status regarded with horror and fear by all above it.