Being almost surrounded by mountains aside from a narrow path ground level from the north, Knot consisted, because it’s since been destroyed, of a demographic that was whole or in part dragonborn. With the exception of a few merchants and transplants, a traveler would typically enter and leave the town from the Northern Pass; the only route that led into the village. Strangers sought a place to trade or attend market, and mostly, just to visit. Knot was the only official home of the dragonborn and their kin. Assigned 500 years ago by the Order of Sensible and Determined Beings.
The Order was developed when the ruling age of the dragonborn had come to an end. After a thousand years of rule, the separating and infighting of factions slowly lowered the number of dragonborn to a point where they no longer ruled by sheer numbers. Therefore, the new majority factions; the elves, dwarves, and humans, formed a coalition that would be based on a model of peace. The new minority factions now included dragonborn, sprites, and other water and forest creatures whose magic and culture remained secret. There were a few tellings of dragonborn families that resisted the forced relocations and assimilated as best they could to live more like those that walked the earth. Peace was found in a way. The pride of the dragon wounded for a time. But Knot was a metropolis of a valley.
Protected by some of the tallest mountain peaks that only flying machines, or dragons themselves could surpass them. It was truly a haven for the remaining dragonborn and their kin. Not only had the valley become a hub of trade, the ability for full dragonborn to fly offered private and public logistics services. Delivering packages and moving goods. The saying at Knot Transport went something like, “Why hire an air balloon to move what 2 dragons can do cheaper and real soon!”
And Dragon’s fire forged some of the most powerful steel in the world. And being in such rare commodity now, it was very popular.
It was rare for outsiders to remain permanently. Knot was a closely knit little village. Outsiders were never welcomed. And the ones that stayed typically had proved themselves worthy or necessary in some way.
The government of Knot was, on its surface, very democratic. There was, upon the inception of the Order, a local government started that consisted of a Mayor of Knot, 2 Vice Mayors, and The High Counsel of Knot. The high counsel consisted of local leaders; the Valley doctor, The headmaster of Knot academy for the Dragonlings, Transport professionals and blacksmiths. These areas worked together to keep the valley of Knot thriving. Even though it appeared as though the Order of Sensible and Determined Beings had left Knot to fend for itself after the reorganization, it was a busy valley. Transport and Dragon Steel kept the valley in very good condition.
Dragonborn peoples are how you would imagine. Most full dragons in the mountainous region of Knot have wings and can fly. At full age they stand about 15 to 20 feet tall, with wingspans so amazing only a few dragons flying on errand block the sun so often the light seems to flicker on the ground.
They have bodies covered in hard scales, long talons, and claws. Colors ranging from deep green to bright oranges. And they don’t wear clothes, only bands of gold or other metals around ankles or wrists if they had titles or are of any importance. Halflings carried many of the same traits. Typically, taller than the human or dwarf with which they have mated, halflings ranged in height from 7 ft to 18ft. But rarely were born with wings, and never with the ability to create fire. That was only a trait of full dragonborn, and rarely, dragonlings. Beings who are half or more dragonborn.
It was a day like any other. By dawn the local merchants could be seen pulling up their carts and setting up their stands for the market. The fires lit at night were being extinguished through the town and the sun was slowly making its way into the sky. Having not yet reached Knot’s high peaks, the dawn announced itself by slowly lighting the sky and turning it into a ever brightening bluish orange.
This story begins the day Knot was destroyed. End of Part 1.