Dragon Clan
From Historian Zelka, building upon the work of Zuebara Pulan in the book The Human Clans
Founded by Lanival himself, Dragon Clan was born during the time of Lanival's wanderings. In each Human village, town, and city he and his followers stopped in, a few more people would get up and follow them, adding to the Clan's ranks. From Lanival, these people learned to revel in their mortality. He taught them that their lives, though short, were more precious than they could imagine, and they should cherish every second of them.
The Clan to this day remains nomadic, although they are most frequently found in northern Therengia. They are perhaps known best by outsiders as traveling merchants, their caravans and wagons laden with exotic wares inspired by their wide-ranging travels and frequently incorporating dragon-themes in their designs.
In Dragon Clan, Lanival is remembered fondly, and much of what they do, many of the feasts they hold, are done in honor of him and his philosophies. Few celebrations are as joyous or as grand as a feast held in the camp of the Dragon Clan, for they truly embrace the concept of living their lives to the fullest at every opportunity. While some may decry them as hedonists -- and the people of Dragon Clan do indeed generally wear bright colors, sumptuous fabrics, and a great deal of jewelry, all the while displaying a tremendous love for food, drink, and celebration of all kinds -- when one comes to truly understand Dragon Clan, it becomes evident that these actions are not hedonism so much as they are a reflection of their zeal for existence. Dragon Clan members embrace all aspects of living with such joy, and will take up arms to defend the lives of themselves and others when presented with wanton destruction and oppression.
Notes
- Gypsy King Talorc Yngvar has claimed on many occasions that his people are the remnants of Dragon Clan, or at least contain many of their former members. Dragon Clan's continued existence proves the first claim to be quite false, and Talorc's public derision of Lanival's teachings is in diametric opposition to many of the most closely held values of the Clan.