Elder

Overview

Elder is a title given to dragons who perform some sort of feat that earns them great respect from other dragons. The meaning of the title and the means of earning it are mostly the same to those for the title of Master; the only difference is that Elders lead and guide while Masters teach.

Meaning

A dragon with the title of Elder is a dragon what has performed a great feat of any sort, be it physical, magical, academic, or otherwise, that has allowed it to set itself apart from its peers. Though a dragon can earn the title from a single feat, typically it is given to those that demonstrate two or more impressive feats and who also demonstrate the mental capacity to guide and lead the dragons within a clan. A dragon is granted the title by other Masters and Elders within the clan they have chosen to settle in, though the title stays with them no matter where they travel, showing all dragons that they have earned the full respect of everyone they meet.

Becoming an Elder

Most dragons that earn a title like that of Elder have started from a desire to earn respect. In dragon culture respect is primarily given based on merit, and while trust and basic respect can be earned through normal tasks, the kind of respect needed to teach others or lead them requires something greater, the respect granted from a dragon of great skill in some field.
Those that seek to become Elders resort to more academic feats, and either magical or physical feats depending on the type of dragon they are. In order to lead, a dragon must also demonstrate that they can deal with other dragons, guide them down the correct path, and be a voice of reason if ever needed. To show these qualities, a dragon often will integrate them into their feats, though not always. Some of these dragons will demonstrate prodigal prowess in some area that can rival that of a Greatest Elder, though unlike the title of kal, Elder requires fewer feats and does not require the aspiring dragon to surpass other Elders. Elder also cannot be earned though a duel of any sort, though demonstrations of fighting ability are valid.

Purpose

All dragon clans have dragon Elders, generally few in number unless the clan is large. These Elders almost always form the leadership of the clan, though the exact delegation of duties depends on clan preference, how many Elders are present, and the strengths and weaknesses of those Elders. If a clan has few or no Elders, then Masters may share leadership duties though they are not given the Elder title unless they demonstrate to their peers that they are more than adequate leaders and that they desire the new title.
Elders typically lead, but they can also help guide dragons, both young and old, though life's challenges. Where a Master would teach them all sorts of subjects from magic to history to math and natural philosophy, an Elder can guide them through matters of a more subjective nature. Elders are always consulted when a mother desires her nest to be raised around humans. They help growing dragons determine what role in a clan they are best suited for if that young dragon wishes to remain in the same clan they hatched in. And Elders administer punishment to those dragons that break the rules, enforcing these laws as similarly to the previous Elders of the clan as possible unless they deem certain punishments as not fitting the crime. All Elders in a clan, however, are involved when a punishment is warranted.

Type

Civic, Honorific