Without fanfare or really any warning, beasts of all kinds began arriving at Arx Infusco. They weren't particularly flashy, and many of them were so small that the finer Beasts of the Arx could have stepped on them and barely noticed they'd snuffed out a life. Why had they arrived?

To make use of the Arx's blood-soaked, cursed sands, it appeared. Before long at all, a good deal of houndish dragons, snakes, monsters, and other kinds of draconic-adjacent creatures had buried their eggs in the hot sands of the Colosseum, skittering back into the shadows whenever a Guard came into view, most of them not daring to linger around their own clutches lest they be seized and devoured by the cruel residents.

Most of them, too, might have very well been compelled by some unknown force. Some would stay, and others, shaking themselves free of their single-minded reverie, might do the safer thing and flee the Arx before any notice could come to them... but what would be far more noticeable in a few months would be the hoards of dragonets appearing from the sands, hungry, angry, and looking for guidance.

The Wyrm's Eye Frenzy is a gathering of low to mid-ranking draconic clutches! Find out more at the link below:

Novos are accepted at the Arx, just like many other dragonries in the Nexus, but there are Novos, and there are Sacrifices.

Novos are the valued guests of the Arx, invited by the Lord and the Lord's favoured citizens, and expected to bond to high-ranking dragonets. Consequently, they are given simple but comfortable lodgings while they visit and wait for an appropriate clutch, as well as free range around the Arx (within reason.) Novo residences are across from the Colosseum itself, an apartment block over a few shops and one particularly impressive tavern. Inquisitive Novos from outside the Arx might notice that outside of a few blocks from the Colloseum, there are low stone walls with guarded gates. Whether they are to keep Novos in, or to keep unsavoury creatures out is not entirely clear. Outside of this gentrified little neighbourhood is the Sprawl, which is far less appealing to those who might call themselves tourists.

Sacrifices are those novos who are not given privileged treatment. Sacrifices are captured slaves broken to bond mid-ranking beasts who are fervently loyal to the Arx, who would consider themselves lucky to become the guards and the mercenaries earning their wages towards freedom with lesser beasts. The rest bond to chaff, dragonets meant to be eaten by their stronger siblings; some Sacrifices are themselves considered a free snack for the more violent dragonets. Sacrificial housing is far less pleasant than that for Novos. Squalid barracks attached to the far side of the colosseum are under heavy lock and key, only the barest step up from a prison. Because Sacrifices are never told who is expected to bond a mid-ranking dragon, and who's to wind up beast-food, there is fierce and sometimes violent competitiion by these residents to prove their worthiness. Those not willing to play often find themselves at the bototm of the heap.

Once bonded, Novos and Sacrifices alike are expected to save themselves: dragonets are not held back from their violent instincts, and those who linger on the sands are likely to be mauled and eaten. From then on, both are given training befitting their rank. Novos from elsewhere in the Nexus may or may not linger, but those that do choose to stay are often given preferential treatment... so long as they obey the Arx's laws. Those who foment change are as likely to wind up slaves as guests. Don't test the law.

Sponsors, on the other hand, are those who are not bonding a dragon directly. They might be looking for freshly hatched henchmen ready to bond to their cause. They might be overseeing the handling of a batch of novos, like a pirate captain ensuring their crew don't get eaten (and maybe picking up a few extra beasts to crew their ship along the way.) Regardless, Sponsors are privileged guests of the Lord and are given free range of the Arx. Their quarters are within the guest wing of the Manor, and their entertainment is whatever they choose... for a price. Sponsors are expected to gather their things and leave after a hatching, preferably not before spending a good amount of coin, or offering other tithes for their stay. Sponsors who cause trouble are just as likely to wind up in the slave pens or as someone's meal as any other outsider, so be wary, guests.