Sageblood

Hardened light from the deserts of Mrasta's Hold, where so much light reaches the area that it is said to coalesce into crystals. The dragons of the area then breathe on them, activating their raw power. Sageblood is highly valued by all societies. Those who don't want control of the desert still want Sageblood. The locals have been shaped by it, becoming powerful sorcerers. They defend their home from colonizers, but their true numbers and power is hidden. The Lion's Breath believes they own the desert and are fighting off the locals, but they've only gotten a tiny glimpse of their true power. The locals are friends with the dragons and have dragonriders.