Silkwings

Silkwings are the dominant tribe. They are the most wealthy, largest empire on the Continent. Their entire Empire is located on the “tail” of the continent. They are ruled by Tiger Moth I or, simply, The Empress. It is now unknown who the Emperor is, but Tiger Moth I has one named daughter, Tigermoth II. Their Empire is major city and divided into four parts.

## The Silkwing Empire

### SILKSTONE ACADEMY

Silkstone Academy used to live up to its name, being a very prestigious school, with a very good allotment- being funded from the Empire and the dragonets paying to enroll there. But after the war, the school lost most of it’s funding, respect from anti-empires, and it’s student count. Of course though, they did gain a no-war zone established by the Empire, since it was their property.

Grades are called levels. 5 is the highest 0 is the lowest. Grades depend on students’ skill, not age- but the age limit for 5 is 3 years+. You must be a dragonet to enroll at the academy. Their school mascot is a silk moth.

They endure in sports similar to Lacrosse, early basketball, and most popularly- quidditch. Only levels 3+ can play sports and level 5 students/advanced scholars can play Seeker (in Quidditch).

School Slogan: Silk is stronger in bundles (We‘re better together basically)

### CACOON TOWERS

The right tower, the tallest one, is the hugest trade center on the Continent. It’s a large business building and a common area for “city-folk”. It’s sister-tower, the left and shorter one (still very tall), is where inventions are made and “problems” are solved. There is also a huge bank, called Prowling Tiger Vault at the bottom floor of the right building.

Two twin statues of Tigermoth I herself stand on either sides of the two towers. Behind the right are five tribes’ statues and behind the left are three tribes (mudwings are left out, and so are the subtribes- to their collective outrage) Tribes to the right (in order) > Skywings, Leafwings, Rainwings, Nightwings, Hivewings. Tribes to the left > Sandwings, IceWings, and strangely, Seawings, even if their entire tribe is hidden away.

### BOMBYX BAZAAR

Bombyx Bazaar (or BB) is a huge town- but predominantly a bazaar. It sports a LOT of art- especially of the Empress but of other sovereignty as well. It is littered with guards but, ironically, has the highest crime rate in the entire Empire.

There is a large plaza in the middle of the BB. There are fountains and sometimes others come to show off their inventions and craftsmanship. In the center is a huge Tigermoth I statue, standing on her slightly bent hind legs and holding out her arms, wings spread, while roaring at the sky. It’s not intimidating- but rather triumphant. Her tail snakes out behind her and the statue is made out of marble- polished marble. Fancy, I know.(for their time at least- gold was seen as old-school for a statue’s material and diamonds are WAY too expensive for such a large build)

To the west of the center is a large quidditch stadium. Silkwings love quidditch.

You can sell anything at BB- even things the Empress doesn’t approve of- which is why it isn’t a no-war zone (she trying to make a point, dragons guess, but really- no one knows her true motives that much) Dragons who live here think about rioting about this- even once threatening to tear down the plaza statue.

### THE MAIN EMPIRE, PALACE, AND LABYRINTH

The palace is the largest on the continent. It looks prestigious and polished with hundreds of rooms. Surrounded by the palace are four citadels, connected by bridges, on each corner. The bridges form a large circle that is used as a wall. Guards are there day and night making it extremely hard to break in- they have the high ground, a wall, and a lot of weapons. The only way into the main kingdom unauthorized is a huge labyrinth (its enclosed with a high roof so no flying out- and has cement floor- so no digging through) Outside the labyrinth is the rest of the “poorer” citizens.

## Culture

Lots are warriors/guards talon-picked by Tiger Moth. These either guard Tiger Moth's palace or are appointed to guard (and make sure nothing against her happens) in the many towns. Hivewing/Rainwing/Sandwings who work in the Empire have their stingers/fangs covered/locked or the toxins in them removed. In the old days, their stingers/fangs were removed permanently.

Those who aren't warriors are either flamesilks (which Tiger Moth uses to make lanterns and flamesilk tapestries for her palace) or silk-makers, who make all the clothing, cloth, and other silken items for the empire. Flamesilks make warm clothing for tribes who live in the cold tundra, but are not yet adapted to it- they can tone down the flammability.

Every full moon and whenever she deems it a special occasion, Tiger Moth I hosts a splendid masquerade at her palace. The sovereigns and their children are automatically invited. Other dragons (SilkWings and other tribes) from the middle and upper classes are randomly selected to go. At these masquerades, all dragons wear silk masks, ornately made jewelry, silk garments, and more.

All SilkWings are upper class, except for a rare middle-class few, since they are the same tribe as the Empress and she favors them.

Silk underneath armor is very popular so for it’s flexibility and ability to repair quickly.

Silkwings enjoy tea. It’s a custom to drink it for all classes. Not offering a guest some is considered rude.

Silkwings enjoy exotic pets just like Rainwings.

Silkwings are often stuck-up, but this doesn’t apply to everyone.

Silkwings have huge festivals every time a New Years starts- depicting flamesilk/silk woven butterflies, moths, and caterpillars. They have fireworks and nobles may give speeches.

Philosophy and moral values is popular in their culture. They also like poetry.

Silkwings are strictly vegetarian but might not even eat dairy- they tend to like soymilk and tofu. Going vegan is swiftly gaining popularity.

Middle class Silkwings gift young dragons hangbao.

Contests to see who’s the prettiest are seen as a waste of time, vain and childish.