The Palaxi Dominion

In Archaios, Dragonborn are most frequently found in wandering tribes that roam the lands, following the migratory patterns of the big game they hunt. Not so here in the Talhani Isles. Indeed, K'allpa is home to an entire nation of dragonborn that dominates the southern reaches of the continent: The Palaxi Dominion.
In the Talhani Isles, they control the isle of Aldiya, which they call Aradace in their own tongue. The dragonborn's introduction into The Assembly was not a smooth one, for reasons that are quite clear when one understands their cultural heritage.
Militaristic discipline, hierarchy, and dogma are the backbone of Palaxi life. Despite the relative peace of the age, the Palaxi are always prepared for a fight should one come knocking. This has been both a blessing and source of concern for their allies in the Isles. Their military contributions were integral in beating back both the orcs of the Ba'shad Tribes as well as routing the Maqana after they split from the Assembly. So far, there have been no internal problems, but quietly, the other kingdoms of the Assembly what the Palaxi may do should their interests ever fall out of concert with one another.

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

It is said that the Palaxi Dominion formed centuries ago during a "time of great strife." Disparate dragonborn clans were forced to band together to survive and repel an enemy whose identity has been lost to history. This generational trauma has informed the Palaxi ever since. Some believe that the Palaxi were organized by a great dragon when such creatures were more common in K'allpa. Others believe it was the dragons that the Palaxi sought to free themselves from. Either way, it is clear that the culture of the Palaxi was forged in dragonfire one way or another.

Shared customary codes and values

Palaxi custom lives and dies within the bounds of military tradition. There is no distinction between the Dominion's governing and military branches. Their society is run by a military tribunal headed by its most senior officer. With this comes a strong sense of nationalism and duty. The dragonborn of the Palaxi people are raised to consider the needs of the many above all else.

Art & Architecture

For the Palaxi, beauty and aesthetic is secondary to functionality and practicality. This does not mean the dragonborn do not practice art, of course. On the contrary, from restriction comes innovation, as they say. Palaxi artists strive to strike the delicate balance between form and function when it comes to their work: "decorative" sculptures and statues are sturdy and can be deployed as traps and weapons, paintings are rendered with fire-resistant pigments on reinforced leather canvases that can act as shields, and glasswork is designed to shatter into large, edged chunks that can act as shivs should the need arrive, just to name a few examples.

Coming of Age Rites

Every young dragonborn, boy and girl alike, are required to enter into a short term of service with the Palaxi military where they receive basic training and military education. Once completed, they are free to choose a career path. Many opt to stay with the military as scouts, engineers, analysts, and more. Some, though, take cues from The Elen'nar and depart the Dominion to explore the wider world. The worldly experience derived from mingling with the other kingdoms of the Assembly has even led to something of a cultural rift occurring amongst the Dominion's young in recent years as they bristle against the harsh doctrine of their homeland.

Common Myths and Legends

The dragonborn of the Palaxi Dominion do not worship a pantheon of gods as many other cultures do. Instead, they believe that divinity and enlightenment flow through something of a collective conciousness comprised of their ancestors. According to their doctrine, each individual's immortal spirit adds to this collective and can be accessed by those who can open up and attune themselves to it. In this regard, they do hold specific ancestors in high esteem as paragons of a particular domain. For example, a Palaxi cleric of the forge would invoke the name of Malda'l, a prolific armorer in her time who discovered the secrets of steel for the Palaxi.