The Dragon Races
The Dragon Races were always a huge event when I was little. It was something that my brothers and I looked forward too though the year that stands out the most to me is the year I turned twelve. That year we had something special planned. My parents had just recently decided to foster an orphan boy and this was going to be his first time going. He hadn't smiled since he had actually been brought into the household and we were all hoping this would cheer him up.
It worked, somewhat. After the opening ceremonies where my dad gave the opening speech, the fun started. He smiled for the first time since I'd met him almost a year earlier. We ran about, playing the games and watching the races. We cheered on my twin on as he participated in the children's race. When he was done we continued playing games until well after dark until we were too tired to walk and my parents had to carry the four of us home. I woke up the next morning to find him wrapped around the giant, overstuffed Current Strider he won as a prize in a game. While it was only one day of fun and games, it helped distract him from his pain and reminded him that there were still good times to be had. That stuffed Drake sat on his bed as a reminder of the fun he'd had.
The Races were more than just races. There is the Windsurfing competition, which I started competing in when I was fifteen, foot races, matches between the soldiers displaying their battle skills, archery contests, baking competitions and dozens of other events for people to join in as competitors or spectators.
Due to the events of five hundred years ago, there hasn't been one since. I'm looking forward to getting them started up again this year. We all need a little bit of fun back in our lives to remember that even when things look bleak, there's always a spark of light to be found.
Excerpt from Queen Beithir Hacende's diary
History
The Dragon Races began in the forth age, specifically the year 4610, as a more organized way of the races that were already happening but had a tendency to cause property damage and severe injuries. The first official races drew a massive crowd and had wonderful prizes. It was also ten years after the death of the first Eledhrim queen, Gilglyss Hacende, at the hands of the Elgath Order and Dihenaion Hacende, her son and the new king, wanted to do something to help ease his people's fear of them. It quickly became a major athletic event that would be held every year in the summer.
Components and tools
Saddles and reins, though the use of reins depends on the Rider/Dragon partnership. Magic, magical items and weapons are allowed but use must be non-lethal. Armor and protective gear is mandatory especially for Riders as falling from a thousand feet whilst unconscious will result in death.
Participants
Precipitants are Riders and their Dragons. They’re separate into three groups; military, civilian and children so everyone has a fair shot at winning. The races can get rough, especially with the military competitors.
Observance
The races and other festivities happen every summer in the field just north of Carachdanna.
Not Everyone's A Rider
As the Dragon Races are there for all to attend and participate in, there came an easy realization that in comparison to the population size, most were, and still are, not Riders. As a result, multiple other competitions were added to the races so that others could participate in events that caught their interests. This results in wondrous smells of a variety of food, multiple events being held at the same time and a lot of children racing about getting underfoot as they move from one thing that catches their eyes to another. But hey, it's all fun and games, a chance for all five tribes to come together to celebrate our prosperity as a people and kingdom and enjoy themselves.
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