The Thousand

Dragon Population: 36,300. Nondragon Population: 24,000 (35% human, 21% stone giant, 12% goblin, 9% orc, 8% dwarf, 6% gnome, 3% yuan-ti, 6% other). The Thousand Flights of Argonnessen—more commonly called the Thousand—is the heart of the dragon homeland. The great wyrms of the Thousand inhabit lairs hewn in the Age of Demons, and the cries of soaring dragons fill the air. Dragons have lived here for hundreds of thousands of years; the territory is replete with monuments to wise wyrms and legendary prophets, shrines to the deities of Thir, and wondrous locations created by the greatest flames of the forge. Crafted through pure magic by colossal draconic artisans, these edifices tower over the landscape. Flying across the Thousand is a breathtaking experience, but one few nondragons ever experience; intruders find scant welcome in the land of the Thousand. The dragons of the Thousand are organized into extended family groups known as flights. Each flight controls a large domain within the Thousand. Every adult dragon has his own lair, which he shares with his mate and children. Some flights spread out across their domain, with miles between lairs. Others prefer to live in close proximity. These flights use potent magical rituals to draw vast pillars of volcanic rock up from the earth, and then carve tunnels into these massive monoliths; a single pillar can be over a mile in height, serving as a home for up to a dozen dragons. The flights of the Thousand are segregated by color. Many flights are surrounded by neighbors of the same color, creating patchwork patterns across the land. Most dragons of the Thousand prefer the company of their own sub-species or at least their family of dragons. A few flights still cling to the antichromatic philosophies of Ourenilach, and some tension arises between white dragons and other flights, largely based around the argument that the less intelligent whites are little better than wyverns. Although this can result in heated debate, violence between dragons is rare. Formal duels or staged battles are accepted by some flights as a way of settling disputes, but most insist that members go to the Vast if they intend to do battle. Crimes between dragons are handled by the divine servants of Lendys, the draconic god of Justice. With a few exceptions, flights are ruled by the oldest dragon of the line. The clan might debate important issues, but the eldest has the final say. He decides who represents the flight in the Conclave of Argonnessen, and who guards the great treasures of the flight. He appoints the servant of Lendys, who investigates and punishes crimes committed by or against members of the flight; if necessary, a servant of Lendys can call upon the Eyes of Chronepsis for assistance. Beneath the elder, status within a flight is based on age and hoard. The Conclave of Argonnessen is based in the Thousand. Dragons who speak in the Conclave are treated with great respect, regardless of their rank within a flight. Some dragons of the Thousand trade with the dominion lords of the Vast, bartering for servants or treasures produced in that land. Dragons specialized in creation wander the land, using their skills as architects, artificers, and engineers in exchange for treasures or useful information. Beyond this, the dragons are self-sufficient and self-involved; few real industries exist within the Thousand. Most nondragons in the Thousand are retainers attached to a particular flight of dragons. Some have served their flight for generations; others are recent acquisitions brought over from the Vast. Nondragon retainers perform tasks that are difficult or demeaning for dragons, and are often called upon to entertain their masters. As a result, most retainers are trained in some form of performance like music or acting. Many dragons dislike the presence of nondragons. Some of these dragons use constructs as retainers, typically favoring iron golems. Others feel that nondragons have no place in Argonnessen, and any such creature who crosses the domain of such a dragon is killed on sight. Nondragons have no rights in the Thousand. Killing a nondragon bearing the mark of a friendly flight is an insult to the owner, but many dragons consider the life of a single lesser creature to be trivial and pay this no mind.

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