organizations [Lore] The Serpent King and the Serpent Council

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The Serpent King and the Serpent Council - Paragons of Peace

 

Since the days long past, when the younger races were still at war with one another, the Serpent Council and their King have observed from their sky bound city of Longri-La, far above their sacred lake. When the heroes Xi Hua and Xiao Huo arrived, the elder dragons declared that their trials were a success and sat them upon the path to uniting their peoples. When at last the two succeeded, the serpents gave them their solemn vow that, so long as they and their descendants uphold balance and peace, they will be their teachers, mentors, guardians. And so too would they give wisdom and advice to the worthy who venture to their lake, now named in their honor.

 

Forevermore the Council has kept its Pact, helping the royal family and lending their aid and wisdom to the worthy few who seek them out. All while tending to their duties within the city of Longri-La and working to keep the Sacred Lake Huahuo safe from the unworthy or those who would wish to do it harm.

 

The Serpent Council consists of five Elder Serpents and their King. The Council are chosen for their wisdom, passion for their field, and desire for inner peace. Each of the chosen councilmembers preside over a district of Longri-La, as well as dole out advice pertaining to their areas of expertise.

 

The Matron, who holds demesne in the Mu Xizang Nursery, cares for the nursery where the young—both eggs and hatchlings—of serpents who have either passed on, left for extended meditation, or for other reasons are unable to care for their children reside. The Matron oversees this district and is often sought out by new and prospective mothers who require their wisdom, or when they fulfil their part of the Pact to apprentice Imperial Foals. Often the Matron is seen to represent a mastery of ‘Wood’ aspects, both personally and magically.

 

The Luminary holds court over the Fenghuang Gardens where they tend to the gardens, tea houses, and shops that dot the sprawling area. As the dragon representing the ‘Fire’ aspect, the Luminary is often the most passionate of the Council and works closely with everyone that they can to help them find their passion, be it in work, play, or love. They also oversee any group activities that the city holds for holidays or celebrations, to spectacular effect.

The Steward is the master of the Suncrest Landing and usually the first member of the Council that the few travelers who scale the peaks of Mount Suncrest meet. Stalwart and unyielding, but joyous and agreeable, the Steward embodies the ‘Earth’ aspect and is often counted as the most diplomatic of the Council. When someone needs advice on nurturing the earth or their health, or when a painful truth must be revealed, the Steward is the first to answer the call. Aside from this, they also oversee the physical training of Longri-La’s defenders. While the serpents desire peace and enlightenment, they are keenly aware that not everything can be answered with words alone, but physical answers should be only the last resort.

 

The Artificer takes care of the Zhingzhue Workshops where Long artisans craft various trade goods, jewelry, and of course Long Pearls! The Artificer is a master craftserpent, befitting of their nature as the ‘Metal’ aspect and can often be found training prospective crafters or advising Long Sun on topics of business and craft. While Longri-La does not particularly export their goods for monetary gain, the Artificer helps to keep track of bartering and trades between both serpent dragons and the travelers that occasionally find their way to Longri-La.

 

And finally, The Archivist is in charge of Shuǐguī Lyceum, which is home the Shuǐguī Athenaeum a mindbogglingly large and extensive library of books and scrolls of both magical and mundane nature. The Archivist’s duties consist of cataloging the vast swaths of knowledge within Longri-La, as well as overseeing the enchantment process of the Long Pearls that come from the Zhingzhue district. Their advice on topics of magic is indispensable to any who seek out such knowledge. The Archivist's wit, gentleness, and erudition ties them closely to the ‘Water’ aspect that their magic reflects. The Archivist also tends to the magical training of Longri-La’s defenders.

 

Elder council members will often take on one or more apprentices, young dragons personally chosen as prospective replacements for the member when the decide to retire. Each council member has different trials or lessons they put their apprentices through to test their mettle, and one can never be sure what requirements will be placed on them, other than a desire to keep Long Guo beautiful, harness their inner balance, and to master their art.

 

Above but equal to these Five is the Serpent King, Sovereign Ruler of the Long. The Serpent King shares many responsibilities with the Councilmembers, aiding however possible. So too do they aid or judge the ruling Imperial Family accordingly. Few though they have been, there have been times in the past where the Serpent King has denounced an Emperor or Empress for their actions, refusing to help them, sometimes going so far as to hinder their ambitions should they cause harm to the land or others around them. But what makes a good ruler is a just heart, and so the Serpent King judges not the child for the actions of the parent, only for their own.

 

In diplomatic matters overseas, it is often the King and another chosen member of the council to travel and meet with those who have invited them. Traditionally, the King will bring a gift, a enchanted pearl shrouded in flameless and colored fire as a present to be conferred at the end of a meeting, should it go well.

 

Within the Dragon’s Heart, the keep turned temple that sits at the center of Longri-La, the Council and King meet for various matters concerning the city, the country, or the goings-on of the world as a whole. Often they are privy to many things beyond Long Guo, thanks in part to the mystical scrying pool that lies in center of the temple.

 

Though much time has passed since the founding, the Council and its latest Serpent King still uphold the Pact, keep watch over the land, guard their sacred pool, and share their knowledge with those who have earned it.

~Journey to the Dragon Lands

Ashley ‘Ash’ Ravencrest