Study of Shadow's Refuge

From the Past to Modern day.
In truth not much is known about the formidable and mysterious Island of Shadow’s Refuge, the name itself was only given in recent years. From what little evidence remains we know that due to its secluded location on the Southeastern coast of Pyyria it is clearly in a state most preferable as a strategic holding. This is consolidated through the presence of Human architecture and the former Ruined Citadel upon the peak of the rocky Plateau itself. With the Islands fortifications and Human influence it can be presumed that this bastion was a defence mechanism to protect Human interests back in the ages where their Kingdoms and Empires even rivaled that of our most modern day structures. Ancient in its own right, due to the heavy militaristic constructions the Keep what stands as a ruin today before the redesign and addition to Draconic influence the Castle was no more than a Garrison or holding of a regional sworn protector, this can be seen in the Grand Hall before its extension for convenience for Dragon kind the Hall housed a small stone Throne, simplistic in nature, be it the barbaric nature of the inferior Humans at the time or a symbol of low status is unknown yet it still persisted as a sign of authority within some standard or form, to this day the raised dais where the Throne sat remains.

Today the Island of Shadow’s Refuge is Governed by his Lordship Tenebris of the NightWing Clan, although firmly under his control without debate there is controversy if the land is technically a NightWing territory. Due to the lands isolation and occupation of Tenebris, it differs from typical NightWing culture and society. Upon its founding by its current master the Isle was the home of a small minor Clan of Reptilian NightClaws who occupied the Ruins of the Human structures without any means of upkeep. After being dominated by Tenebris who to this day stands as the Lord of this Clan and their ruler, the NightClaws aided in the restoration of the area. Never being colonised by NightWings as a whole the land became the lair of Tenebris where he orchestrated his dealing and contemplated in his own musings hence the nature of the name “Refuge”. It was only due to the growing influence of Tenebris’s power that the Island began to be populated with more NightWings as they became followers of Tenebris’s ideology and “Neutral” like stance.

With the Island now under firm talons and its growing population the rocky plateau was perfect for becoming the lairs of many Dragons who escaped the mundane mainland as the rocks were littered with Caves due to times ravishes. With the Islands natural defence the Sea itself relentlessly attempts to consume its lands but to no avail. With the arrival and birth of the Neutral faction with its acknowledgement even from the monarchy at the time interest peaked on the Isle, resulting in a renovation of the current defences. The Citadel standing as shield of hardship and adversity against both the storms of the sea and the peril of the lands existence, with the aid of the Dragons the ruin now has become a marvel of  their superiority, revived and renewed through their intervention the architecture was redesigned from the primal Human works to be used as the foundations of a Draconic bastion.

- Authors note -
-At the end of Gemini’s reign as the Monarch of the NightWing Kingdom the increased sectionalism and isolationist attitude of those within the Sub-faction brought about institutes within their own regard. With Tenebris’s ideological manifesto in regards to preserving Nightwing individuality and the core primary traits of the Tribe. Their cunning, subtle and mysterious nature was present constantly from the birth of Shadow’s Refuge as a holding. Constantly pushing forward to radiate these traits they became the bastion of NightWing ideals, despite their continued separation from the rest of the mundane Tribe. Conservative and Historically conventional the inhabitants of the Isle dreamed perhaps naively of NightWing supremacy and the constant pursuit of knowledge to raise themselves into a state of ethereal awe above other Tribes and even over the rest of their own kin.-

Magic
With the high appraisal of the unknown, the Dragons of Shadow’s refuge delved into their own forms of magic experimentation under the supervision and encouragement of Lord Tenebris. The NightWings of the Isle follow ancient traditions of magic, carrying the weight of magic energies almost as in high regard and reverence to the Gods themselves. As fierce as their Drive to become greater, magic is taught among the Island to seldom be bent on use of mundane tasks. It is a weapon of the mighty, as the FireWings use their martial techniques and the EarthWings use their overbearing size and strength NightWings have always used their cunning, as such the belief is to seek academical supremacy over them through the use of their minds hence Magic is the Weapon.

Those who are harboured at Shadow’s Refuge are notorious for their secretive and eccentric ways given its distance from the prosaic lifestyle of those further into the heart of NightWing lands, which makes the professions of Magic and Alchemy attractive. In the heights of the Citadel there is a athenaeum which houses a repository for numerous ancient scrolls and artifacts. Another tower makes itself home to an Apothecary lab which is the pinnacle of academic desires. If one is to visit the Island of Shadow’s Refuge they will be welcomed by a dense eerie fog which makes the land itself barely visible, this of course is one of countless magic wards, as one would make their way throughout the location the air would feel eclectic and vibrant with energy as if it had a life of its own, giving a feeling of increased energetic flow to one's person the whole process is an added security, the exact number of spells and wards woven into the very air are unknown and can be considered a well placed manner of precautions or a feat of an over paranoid character, none the less the interpretation is never discussed openly through topical debate.

Religion
Faith is a personal matter for all begins on Pyyria, and this is no different to those within Shadow’s Refuge however due to their increased isolationism they have developed an issue in which certain divine deities take prominence over others. The Island is firmly dedicated to Astral as she is considered the most important to both themselves and their culture, although never officially announced it is assumed that the Dragons on Shadows follow their own pantheon despite the other Gods undeniable existence. Due to their avaricious nature they revere Astral above all others, although there is a considerable amount of faith also placed on Nimbus. Within the Keep there is located a sanctuary to both of these Gods and in acknowledgement to others around the Island there is a shrine to Phantom who again is merely acknowledge and Arkhor. Despite the fact Arkhor is merely a Semi-God his worship persists due to his connection with the Seas, this is a bizarre situation as Arkhor is the only divine being who is acknowledged and doesn’t have any significant association with the NightWing Tribe yet due to the Islands geography faced independent against the onslaught of the waves the Dragons often leave offerings as his Shrine which stands on an outlooked point along the rocky plateaus edges overlooking the sea.  

Art
Like the inner holdings of the NightWing Palace the location of Shadow’s Refuge highlights the magnificent possibilities of Dragon architecture. Although usually Dragons are practical and meticulous about their crafts, the NightWings located at Shadow’s Refuge pride themselves on both a coupling of functionality and beauty. Their works stand out as testimony to their pride, statues and great works of art litter the Keep for artistic beauty. Drapes woven with the utmost care illustrate the passion and true lofty statue of those what make their home here. Adorning the Draconic architecture is often Silver as a symbol of purity and dominance out of wealth. In the name of usability and beauty exists their craving desire for jewelry, inherited by the Dragons living here by their Governance by Tenebris.

Those at Shadow’s Refuge pride themselves with their crafters among them are constantly perfecting and engaging in their art. Each of them takes care and time with their work. A finished work is an expression of the nature and capabilities of its maker this ideology is present whenever a NightWing hailing from Shadow’s refuge comes across anything new. Very few completed items in the world in reference to Jewelry are seldom as ornate as the ones one would find at Shadow’s Refuge. Each of the items made have a distinctive flare which most within Pyyria would be able to trace back to Shadow’s Refuge, bold colors and precious Silver are the backbone of all their works. Almost all from Shadow’s Refuge usually adorn themselves with baubles of all sorts, as a tendency to hoard precious items. Each usually has a taste of the adornments they find themselves in, although some are prone to  garish overindulgence.

Leisure
Improving abilities and competition take precedence in leisure activities at Shadow’s Refuge. When the inhabitants aren’t honing their skills in Magic or other academic pursuits, they’re playing a game or engaging in an activity to prove their mental, physical, or spiritual conditioning. When it comes to fields of expertise Shadow’s Refuge enables that everyone isn’t restricted in their activities to familiar skills. Part of developing oneself is expanding one’s horizons. Due to Tenebris’s ideology of competitive games to prove who is greater than another to test their wit and Cunning, almost twice a month challenges are maintained within the grand hall against competitors in strategic games although team events are fine, contests that have one clear winner are favored. One would find why at the Isle that strategic board games, philosophic riddle contests, improvised storytelling events, and one-on-one sports are often associated in a grand affair. Every three Months a festival is always maintained to put on a show of feats on the Isle, ranging from academic to aerobatic.

Published by his Lordship,
Tenebris.
Lord of Shadows Refuge.
Consul to his most imperial majesty Oculus the First.
Grand Vizier of the NightWing Empire.
High-Scholar of the NightWing Empire.

Umm, where is the Shadow's Refuge? Can it be roleplayed in?

Yeah, Shadow's Refuge is an Island off the Southern Coast of the NightWing lands, if you want to Rp in it, just go to the NightWing section of Rp and you can create a topic based there, just on the opening paragraph state where it is.

Kewl, thank ya kindly!