Dragons of Tirenia: The Church States and the Green Dragons

The Church States are those states that are under the direct control of the High Ordinarch and the Church. The High Ordinarchs have declared that they are the rightful successor to the Auromian Empire, and therefore control a large amount of land in central Tirenia directly. At least, they do in theory. With the Church currently in disarray, some states pay little more than lip service to their lord, and some do not even pay that. Traditionally, the Church States were governed from Auromia. However, the High Ordinarch currently lives in Aterni as 'guests' of the green dragons. For this reason, Aterni is often called the new Eternal City (a name formerly applied to Auromia.) It is situated high in the central mountains, and powerful winds blow through it. It is surrounded by lush woodlands, which serves as a retreat for the church leaders and their draconic sponsors.

The green dragons have had great success in subverting the power of the church. Rather than leading in person, they prefer to be the power behind the throne. They use the Church's authority for their own advantage, while at the same time keeping the greatest enemy of the dragons powerless. At the moment, there are two claimants to the title of the High Ordinarch in addition to the hopelessly corrupt official leader of the church. What people do not realize is that the green dragons are behind all three of them. They are masters of poison, and anyone who they cannot corrupt or subvert is invariable killed off using potent toxins brewed from their own breath weapons.

Art: 'Dragon'. Anonymous, c. 1450. 

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