Seasonal Cycle
Spring: Season of Renewal
A time of renewal when the dragons lay their eggs and the forges are rekindled. The volcanic activity tends to quiet during this period, allowing for maintenance of infrastructure and the beginning of new construction projects. Young Drakonians who have come of age begin preparing for their Ascension Challenge.
Summer: Season of War
The season of war, when Drakonians launch their campaigns and settle old scores. The volcanic heat intensifies, and the forges burn at their hottest, producing the year's finest weapons and armor. The long days are filled with tournaments and martial displays.
Autumn: Season of Harvest and Hatching
When the Drakonians stockpile resources for the coming winter and the young dragons hatch. The Rite of the Hatching dominates this season, as new dragon clutches emerge and are blessed by the clans. Trade caravans return from distant lands, and the spoils of summer campaigns are catalogued and distributed.
Winter: Season of the Forge
A time of planning and preparation, with a focus on crafting and training. The Forgefire Vigil takes place during the longest night of the year, and Drakonian smiths tend great forges throughout the night in honor of Ignatius and Jormungandr. The volcanoes of Drakon provide natural warmth, so winter is less a hardship than a time of introspection and refinement.
Eruption Seasons
Beyond the standard four-season cycle, Drakonians reckon time by volcanic eruption patterns, which follow roughly seven-year major cycles. An eruption season, called "Ignatius's Roar," brings weeks of heightened activity: ash falls that blanket the highlands, lava flows that reshape the landscape, and superheated gas plumes that make outdoor activity dangerous. During these periods, Drakonians retreat to their deepest underground chambers and dragon-bonded scouts patrol the perimeters to guide any caught in the open to safety. After the eruption subsides, the "Renewal of Ash" begins
a period of intense rebuilding, mining of newly exposed mineral veins, and the planting of Ashbloom seeds in fresh deposits.