1. Sending a novo requires you to create a character and make a webpage for it. You can use your own hosting service, or a service like wordpress, googledocs, or a forum. The requirement is that nobody has to be logged in to read your work. Your character should have a stats page with a minimum of what they are like as a person and what their hopes and fears might be. Ideally, they have a story written about them that shows more detail about where they're coming from, why they're at Nidus Descendi, and where they hope to go from there. A great story might include complications or collaboration, though I only expect that kind of extra credit work if a very rare kind of dragon is about to be given out where competition from other adopters is fierce. I'll give forewarning if something especially unique is on the sands and ready to hatch.

   For stories, I love when the Nidus is used as a backdrop. If you have any questions, please ping Dray on discord! Collaboration is a great way to flesh out a setting as well as a character's story.

2. When asking for left-overs from a clutch, this is often called "sponsoring a dragon". Bare requirements for sponsoring require having a webpage (or googledoc page, or forum post, etc.) ready to receive the image. In character, a grown person (another dragon or humanoid, usually) should be present to foster the dragonet and help them grow up safely.

   The difference between sending a novo and sponsoring a dragon is that novos are given preference for rarer dragons (for example, rare gold queen dragons will usually only go to written novos), and I will attempt to match a personality and appearance to your character to help make their story fun to continue. Sponsoring means you get a random dragon from the remainder of the clutch, without say on personality. If there are enough novos to match to an entire clutch, I will not allow sponsors to take a novo's spot.

There may be other rules and guidelines in the future, and I reserve the right to make updates as needed.

Out of Character Rules

1. Have a webpage with a minimum of stats about your novo, and a link that anyone can read without having to log in.
2. When you write a story for your novo, please have all the URL information easy to access (either by linking to their story in a chapter system, or having it on the same page with a table of contents, or some other way to help me keep up with updates.
3. Please consider readability when designing your web page. I'd prefer a font that's at minimum 1em/~11pt, colours that contrast well but are not "eye burny", and background patterns or images that don't fight the writing for focus. Hierarchy and structure considerations for a webpage really help me, so I appreciate the extra effort.
4. Please mark triggers for your story. I also like to see 'lines and veils' used as a way to discuss kinds of triggers: 'lines' are those topics that I would like not to see mentioned, if possible. 'Veils' include topics I prefer not to read in any detail about. For Nidus Descendi, 'lines' triggers include child abuse in any way. 'veils' triggers include mentions of self harm or suicide, rape, and homophobic behaviours. If they happen in your character's past, please leave it to undetailed mentions.
5. When writing about your novo's time at Nidus Descendi, either refer to the about page for setting flavour, and/or message me with questions if you're curious.
6. If you have any colour, gender, personality, or other preferences for your dragon, please be clear about this! Not every clutch will have every colour, as Nidus Descendi works primarily off of a random chance structure to keep rare dragons rare, so if your novo does not bond a dragon in the first available clutch, they may have to wait until the right one. If you have any hard 'no's (like "I don't want anything that doesn't have eyes" for example) then please also specify those.

In Character Rules

1. Your novo must be mid-teens or older. Dragonets bonding to children is fairly rare, and those who do bond are only bonded by accident. Training at Nidus Descendi means learning dragon/bond care, how to fly, and how to fly in a wing meant to patrol and defend territory against a host of ground-based and flight-capable enemies.

   Most dragonets reach maturity within 3-5 years, and novos who don't return home immediately are expected to train until they are considered capable of flying with a wing. These interim stages are called Tiro (for very young dragonets) and Paro (for dragons in their youth), where pairs are expected to run errands and learn where they fit within the Nidus at large.

2. Novos are welcome from out-of-world, but are expected to follow Nidus rules: respect the chain of command, respect local customs, and play nice with others whether they're from the Nidus or are also off-worlders.
3. Novos must bunk in the barracks carved out of the cliff overlooking the Sands, and be available for hatchings at any time of day or night. For this reason, they are barred from traveling further than the training grounds below the entrance to the hatching cavern. Luckily, the barracks are part of a complex of tunnels and caverns meant to provide for most novos needs.
4. Characters can arrive by magical means or by sci-fi ones. Aleph is the 2nd planet around an M-class star with at least 3 continents, one natural satellite (moon!) and one artificial, automated station/satellite combo. A magical node for teleportation is located a safe distance from the Nidus under careful watch, and can be keyed to a certain magical resonance frequency if needed. There are also plenty of dragons who can teleport, and who can give novos a lift, if needed.
5. Please let me know if you have specific questions about in character experiences or expectations for their time at the Nidus!