WorldEmber 2024 Week 2
It's the 2nd week of December already
This week, many ranks and professions high up in the Dragonguard were created. They’re mostly there, so I can auto-link characters as whatever rank / profession, from the past and present, and not have to do a bunch of editing.
WorldEmber 2024
Week 1 • Week 3 • Week 4 • Final Week
Words this week: 4297 | 88% total
Director of Logistics
Profession | 499 words
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Pretty self-explanatory; they are in charge of managing and overseeing all logistical operations within the alliance. They are a commander in the Dragonguard (Can either be a 3-star or 4-star) and are also on the Board of Directors.
The Director of Logistics is technically out-ranked by the Coalition Officers (5-star rank) and the Archon (Director of Military Affairs), but they are head of the logistics and are on the Board, so they aren’t really outranked by the others.
Typically, a three-star Lieutenant Commander or Vice Admiral serves as the highest-ranking logistics officer in the regional Dragonguard; however, the individual may be promoted to a four-star commander during their time as the Director of Logistics.
The Director of Logistics can be from any of the Dragonguard's three branches: army, navy, or air force.
Dragonguard Council
Organization | 611 words
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The Council of the Dragonguard is the primary central governing authority of the alliance. It ensures that the interests and well-being of its members are represented and maintained.
It is divided into two components: Board of Directors and the Ambassadors.
Board of Directors
This is the main governing body of the Dragonguard, consisting of five members. The Board is responsible for making crucial decisions that impact the entire alliance, prioritizing the collective welfare of the general public over the interests of individual regions or countries.
Their collective goal is to foster unity and collaboration across the alliance while guiding its direction and policies.
The members of the Board are:
Director of Military Affairs
(Archon of the Dragonguard / military leader)Director of Logistics
(Dragonguard 4-star Commander)Director of Finances and Resources
(Civilian)Director of Public Affairs
(Civilian)One more
(Civilian?)
Ambassadors
The Ambassadors for the Dragonguard Council are designated representatives chosen from each country, with the intention of voicing and advocating for the general public regarding the operations and initiatives of the Dragonguard. Typically, each country may appoint one or two Ambassadors, ensuring that a diverse representation of community concerns and viewpoints are communicated and addressed.
While the Ambassadors aren't on the Board of Directors themselves, they do work with and report directly to the Director of Public Affairs.
The Ambassadors' role is crucial in fostering transparency and ensuring that the voices of the public are heard in decision-making processes related to the Dragonguard's efforts and agenda.
Coalition Officer
Organization | 786 words
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A Coalition Officer is a 5-star rank officer of the Dragonguard. They operate under the Dragonguard Alliance, independently from any region or nation. Their responsibilities encompass strategic planning, resource allocation, and ensuring effective coordination among the various divisions within the Dragonguard.
Unlike the regional Dragonguard, where multiple individuals can occupy senior ranks, the hierarchical system here is distinctly different. Each coalition officer position is held by a single individual, which ensures clear accountability and a defined chain of command during collaboration among multiple regional Dragonguards. This structure prevents overlapping roles at the senior level.
There are three 5-star rank officers, one 4-star, and one 6-star. The 6-star officer is the Archon of the Dragonguard, the military leader overseeing all military operations.
The one 4-star commander is responsible for leading the Dragonguard Sentinels, a military police unit. This is not a 5-star rank; it is very niche and doesn’t require a 5-star grade. The Sentinels are not under the direct control of the Archon, which is why their commander is a part of the Coalition Officers, despite being a 4-star rank.
The three 5-star ranks are Marshals of the three branches. Air Marshal (Air Force), Field Marshal (Army), and Fleet Admiral (Navy).
The title of this distinguished group of senior officers is derived from their unique operational framework within the broader Dragonguard. Unlike officers of regional Dragonguards or national interests, these individuals serve a higher purpose, representing the unified goals and standards of the Alliance itself.
These officers may be referred to by several titles, including Coalition Officer, Alliance Officer, or Flag Officer. It is important to note, however, that they are distinct from the Flag Officers of the regional Dragonguard, who are primarily focused on the dynamics and matters related to their particular region or nation.
Wyvern Wasp
Species | 1229 words
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Late one night, I had a random name for a species pop into my head—wyvern wasp—and was inspired by the parasitoid wasp.
[..] both male and female wasps engage in a parasitic reproductive method, wherein they implant their respective gametes into the eggs of some species of wyvern and wyrms. If the wasp egg is successfully fertilized, it will develop into a larva that feeds on the nutrient-rich yolk of the host egg. This provides the larva with ample sustenance as it matures within the egg, ultimately killing the host embryo.
If the wasp egg fertilization fails, there’s a chance the host egg may incorporate some of the wasp’s DNA, resulting in a hybrid wyvern or wyrm species. While these hybrid dragonkin species do not look much different than normal ones, wyvern wasps seem to ignore eggs produced by these hybrid species.
Adult wasps are fairly large for an insect and have strong mandibles, which they use for defense. Despite their size compared to wyverns and wyrms, they can still cut through dragonkin skin. Wyvern wasps have a very strong exoskeleton, making them hard to kill. However, you can use diatomite powder to kill them, as it creates microscopic cuts in their chitin, leading to water loss and dehydration of the wasp.
Seastone
Character | 202 words
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This one was kind of a random one-off thing. A fellow worldbuilder posted an article about a settlement in their world called Seastone. Several others then mentioned that they either had a location with the same name in their own world or wanted to incorporate it into their world. So, I decided that I would make a character with this name.
It’s a short, stubby article.
Seastone is some kind of dragonkin, light-ish blue and white in color. She likes the ocean and also rocks, hence where her name comes from.
Seastone and her human companion, who is a diver, live on a beach front property on the coast of Ravia.
Her favorite food is the Basilisk Crab, and her favorite rock is serpentine. She dislikes octopus and squid very much because of their ink and the suckers on their tentacles.
She also enjoys chasing and playing with cuttlefish.
Basilisk Crab
Species | 970 words
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The second wildlife species in the world! The idea of this species stemmed from a World Anvil live stream about worldbuilding species. Someone in chat mentioned, "It all leads to CRABS," and I responded with, "I second crab. I'm going to make a dragon crab thing now."
The Basilisk crab is a strikingly large armored crab known for its impressive claws. Each of its claws serves a distinct purpose: one is specifically adapted for crushing, while the other is designated for tearing, reminiscent of the specialized claws of a lobster. These crabs inhabit the ocean floor and coastal reef, where they skillfully navigate rocky crevices and sandy substrates.
They live in the depths of the ocean off the west coasts of Ravia and Ardenfell. They are actually destructive to coral reefs.
Similar to lobsters, basilisk crabs have two different specialized claws. One is a crusher claw, and the other is a pincer. When resting, these crabs will tuck their limbs in and resemble boulders on the sea floor.
Although basilisk crabs are crustaceans, they exhibit a unique growth process that sets them apart from typical crabs. Unlike their counterparts, which undergo a molting process to shed their old exoskeletons, basilisk crabs have a distinctive way of adding new layers to their bodies. As they grow, the old chitin is gradually pushed upward. This accumulation of old material results in a striking, boulder-like appearance that is characteristic of these creatures.
Basilisk crabs exhibit a form of communication that primarily involves the clicking of their chalae (claws). This clicking behavior has two district variations.
The first method involves the crab dislocating the movable part of its crusher claw, followed by popping it back in. This results in a pronounced and reverberating low click. This sound is particularly loud and serves as a warning for predators or other crabs during times of food scarcity or during mating season.
The second clicking technique is characterized by the swift closure of the pincer claw, producing a high-pitched click that is distinctly different from the lower sound of the crusher claw. This higher-pitched clicking is often used in casual exchanges, functioning much like a social greeting or form of light conversation among these crabs.