Dragonrealm

Unlike other governments where politicians are voted for, or chosen for bloodline, the political structure of Orthei is quite unique. Candidates are competitors in a competition held every other year. Having trained dragons which they were given as children and themselves to fight against others, their battles are judged in this competition and those who win are entered into the political scene.

When a rider finds him or herself in the top four rankings at the end of the competition, they are inducted into the Order of the Dragon's Paw, and given seats on the Dragon's Paw Council for the two years until the next competition. If a rider has reached the top four placement five times already, on their sixth induction into the council, the oldest of the perminant members is asked to step down, and the new rider takes his or her place. When this happens, the rider ranking 5th fills the fourth single term position. If more than one rider reaches the top four for the sixth time, the same happens, but it is the oldest two (or more) members asked to step down, and 5th and 6th (and so on) that move into the single term placement. Perminant members have only ever been replaced one at a time and multiple replacements have not ever happened as of yet. If a member of the permanant council dies before replacement, either a special tournament can be ordered, or the perminant council members can vote to promote one of the single term members, thus summoning the next in ranking from the previous tournament to fill the open single term placement for the rest of the term. As with other forms of politics however, there are political parties. the Vahamar Party, Sandorr Party, and Desarac Party. These parties, acting also as sponsoring teams for the riders who have signed under them. As with any political party, they each wish to hold the highest percentage of members in the council to have the majority vote on decisions. Each party offers riders who sign up for support, free transportation on the Dragon's Eye Railway, credits for food and lodging, and supplies for their travels as they travel and train. They also offer training by elder competetors on location at the arena.

» The Order of the Dragon's Paw

It is said that hundreds of years ago, What is known now as Orthei had no government. priests of the three religions - Anstrianity, Liamism, and Drakism - fought for control of the land under rule of their own gods. A group of men who had formed blood brotherships with dragons unified the land under a code of conduct and discipline that they themselves created. This group named themselves the Order of the Dragon's Paw. Under the riders of the Order of the Dragon's Paw, and the governing of the central group, known as the Dragon's Paw Council, the land flourished with peace and prosperity. Although gifted with above average lifespans due to the bonds they formed with their dragons, the first riders found themselves growing old, and called for candidates to come learn their ways and join the council. This continued for generations, but soon there were so many riders trying to join the council, that they could not train or choose them. An elder member of the council, Janara (although some dragons claim it was his dragon who proposed the idea, but everyone knows otherwise), proposed a competition be held, pitting competitors against each other to test strategy and streingth, with four members being added to the council from each tournament. It was a success, and the council ordered an arena be constructed to hold the tournament and its competetors. It was voted that the tournament would be called the Golden Wing Tournament after the color of Janara's dragon. The same that is now know as the Golden Wing Cup Tournament for its grand prize for the highest ranked winner. Other than the tournament and the fact that the council governs the land, not much else is known about the secretive group knows as the Order of the Dragon's Paw. What takes place behind the guarded doors in the north wing of the massive arena structure is unknown to all but those permitted to enter them.

» The Vahamar Party

By far the largest of the parties, the Vahamar party commonly has between a 50% and 60% vote on the council. Vahamar members believe dragons, like people, need strict, forceful command and an iron hand directing them or else orders will not be carried out correctly and disagreements will be brought into the open and cause fighting. They also do not agree with the belief that dragons are or could ever be as intelegent as humans, and train their riders not to attempt to teach dragons anything but fighting and obediance. Party colors | Black and Crimson Percentage of riders | Approx. 68.5%

» The Sandorr Party

The second largest party, averaging 35%-45% vote, Sandor is clearly a kinder group than the Vahamar Party. Members of this group support the belief that all things are equal, especially humans and dragons. Riders are taught to share their knowledge with dragons, and vice versa. These riders claim this causes their above-average intelegence, but Vahamar members insist this isn't the case. It is usually obvious however that dragons and riders in this party have much closer relationships, and seem to be unseperable. Party colors | Green and gold Percentage of riders | Approx. 29%

» The Desarac Party

The most unique of the parties, the Desarac Party consists mainly of followers of Drakism. They follow the teachings of the high priests of their religion, and see themselves as servinging the dragons they are partnered with. They see dragons as divine representatives, and see themselves as assisting the gods in regaining their rightful rule over the land. For these beliefs seen as off the wall, and the fact that they would rather forfeit than see their dragon bleed, they usually range between 0% and 5% of the vote on the council. Party colors | Silver and sky blue Percentage of riders | Approx. 3.5%