Quote:Draconic nests in the wild are universally situated atop geothermal sources, as high levels of heat (minimum 40 C, and optimally 50-55 C) are required in order for the eggs to successfully gestate.  This is part of the reason why dragons are so often associated with high mountaintops, as they made use of the volcanic vents buried deep within.
Once dragons began their partnership with humans, however, they were freed from their dependence on these dangerous locales and their associated hazards of toxic gases, extreme heat, cave-ins, and the occasional decimation event of an ill-timed lava flow or eruption.  Humans in collaboration with their dragons, beginning with the Hooligan tribe of Berk, built artificial Brooderies in which the environment could be more strictly controlled, ensuring the successful hatching of a greater percentage of the dragon eggs. 
As a side benefit of these structures, the waste heat from their vents can be put to use for any number of productive ends, another concept that was pioneered by the Hooligans. 
In the modern context, Broodery management is a mature science…
—An Introduction To Dragon Biology, 17th Edition, Oxford University Press, 1693

An Introduction To Dragon Biology, 17th Edition, Oxford University Press, 1693 Wrote:Draconic nests in the wild are universally situated atop geothermal sources, as high levels of heat (minimum 40 C, and optimally 50-55 C) are required in order for the eggs to successfully gestate.  This is part of the reason why dragons are so often associated with high mountaintops, as they made use of the volcanic vents buried deep within.
Once dragons began their partnership with humans, however, they were freed from their dependence on these dangerous locales and their associated hazards of toxic gases, extreme heat, cave-ins, and the occasional decimation event of an ill-timed lava flow or eruption.  Humans in collaboration with their dragons, beginning with the Hooligan tribe of Berk, built artificial Brooderies in which the environment could be more strictly controlled, ensuring the successful hatching of a greater percentage of the dragon eggs.
As a side benefit of these structures, the waste heat from their vents can be put to use for any number of productive ends, another concept that was pioneered by the Hooligans.
In the modern context, Broodery management is a mature science…

(02-10-2018, 11:31 AM)Mamorien Wrote: I've known for a while that Travolore (head writer for Bare Squadron) and Pure Freedom (creator of Malya the Miraluka mopeygoth) were collaborating on a BS prequel, one that I'm assured will shock and amaze readers. Earlier today, Pure posted the prolegomenon to Her Perfect Existence, and it's like the opening scene of Up but with less crying and more swearing. I give you Interval 1, "In Search of Something Better":

https://purefreedom.deviantart.com/art/Bare-Squadron-Her-Perfect-Existence-Chapter-1-730100566

The Byzantine Emperors, Athens University Press, 1812 Wrote:Having succeeded to the imperial throne on December 10, AD 1041 after the death of his biological uncle and predecessor, Michael IV, Michael V Kalaphates (the Caulker, after the original occupation of Stephen, his biological father) was determined to rule on his own.  Immediately, he began to reverse his uncle’s decisions, recalling courtiers, nobles and soldiers that Michael IV had banished, and banishing, framing, or otherwise removing Michael IV’s own appointments.  This immediately brought him into conflict with John the Orphanotrophos, senior court eunuch, his biological uncle, the effective prime minister of the Byzantine Empire, and the man directly responsible for his family’s elevation from Paphlagonian peasantry to the imperial throne.  Michael V promptly banished John to the monastery of Monobatae, and had the majority of the male members of his family castrated as well, to keep them from being threats to his rule…

…mostly due to happenstance in timing, Michael V is given perhaps undue credit as being the founder of the Byzantine Empire’s corps of dragon riders.  As Sigurd Trondsson had arrived a short period before Michael IV’s death, and the program was formally begun under Michael V, with Michael V being recorded as the first dragon-riding Byzantine Emperor, it can be stated with some certainty that Michael V benefited from Sigurd’s timing more than from significant insight.