Welcome and I thank you for your interest in the dragonriders. In the Wintercourts, a large part of their responsibilities lie in keeping track of the weather. There are many things that make up the day to day routine of a dragonrider, but patrolling takes up much of their time. They are expected to be airborne over their assigned area at least twice a day. They also keep watch for any suspicious activity or people they know to be intruders.
If you are new to the Empire then perhaps the name itself was a giveaway. Nevertheless, a large part of the Wintercourts is snow covered, except during the summer months and only really heavily during the winter. There are, however, warmer lands in the area. Cleria, home of healers, herbalists and clerics, has wonderful weather complete with herb gardens and beaches. Patrols of the Southern, Northern and Western borders will all have a piece of Cleria and should be on special alert for wild weather patterns. A good number of the plant life in this area is used in making medicines for the the rest of the Empire. Harwind's mountains to the east and Valria to the northeast are both prone to send cold temperatures towards Cleria, not to mention the effects the sea can have on the coastal regions. These people must be forwarned of any inclimate weather.
Northern and Western also patrol the lands of Eternia. These lands are magically protected and have no fear of weather or invasion. We patrol them more as a duty than a necessity. The riders who fly over these areas, however, would be wise to use caution. It would be a shame if a misfired spell or magical backlash were to strike you while in the air.
If you turn into a frog, or worse, there is no guarantee that it can be reversed. While flies may have some nutritional value, I doubt they have much in the way of taste. Keep this in mind while flying over Eternia for any reason. Also note that flies do not exactly prosper in extreme cold or magic. Perhaps Cleria would do if not for those strange, health conscious people inhabiting it. Just a thought.
The Eastern border has hazards of it's own. It consists of Harwind and parts of Valria. This land is especially dangerous during the winter months where is snows almost consistantly. In the above picture, you can see snow blowing into the air from a mountain top. You do not want your dragon caught in that! Not only would that be cold, probably to you and not so much the dragon, but wind this strong could be blowing more than just snow. You also want to make as little noise as you can while flying through these areas. They are prone to avalanche, as you can see below.
In the event of an avalanche, dragonriders will be called on to fly overhead to search for any who may have been caught up in it. Dragonriders who start yelling while searching for avalanche survivors will be punished. That is, if the snow doesn't get you and your mount first. If you survive an avalanche you cause yourself, you may see a different side of your Head Dragonrider than you are accustomed to seeing once you are well enough.
Then again, you'd think we were all work and no play? You absolutely must establish a healthy, loving relationship with your dragon. A rider who cannot anticipate a dragon's reaction will be leaning left when the dragon needed you to lean back. Many a rider has fallen to their doom due to not paying enough attention to their mount. Dragons of the Empire come in all shapes, sizes and backgrounds. The world is full of diversity so there is no such thing as a right or wrong, dragon wise. No matter the dragon, there should be a connection between the animal and the rider. Make sure that you do not only interact with your dragon when it is necessary, as in during a patrol or a battle. Remember the little things and try to pamper the dragon whenever you get a chance. After all, it is your life as well as your livelihood at stake here.
As a side note, choose your friends as wisely as you do your enemies. No one comes before your dragon.
Dragonriders of the Wintercourts
