His Majesty's Dragons

[Avian Obscurities]

how the hell did the united states end up with hawaii? or did you just do that for WW2-history convienency's sake?

[frigidmagi]

Believe it or not I can answer that, Havoc and I have had alot of discussions about the timeline both on AIM and on this thread.

Oregan is a protectorate of the United States and has been for some time, with the US having naval bases in Seattle, Portland and other places. Oregan is a protectorate because of several factors, one being the chaos of California that always threatens to spill over and two being Deseret which always seeks more land (to be fair the Mormons are looking for farm land, of which they don't have to much).

As in OTL the leaders of the US were concerned with keeping Euros out of Hawaii (in this timeline it is also because Hawaii makes a great base from which to screw around in California which is a perament basket case). Oregan provided the gateway and when the American business leaders rose up, the navy issued forth from Seattle and history was made.

Whatever other Pacific holdings the US may have are still being ironed out. I have been rather suggestive on the issue of Guam (refueling station) but Havoc has not made a final solution.

[General Havoc]

I define this dragon-world's nations and politics as they become necessary. Guam has... not yet been necessary. I will consider the matter further, particularly given my plans for Japan in this timeline.

Anyway... someone requested the Phoenix...

Excerpted from Jane's Fighting Dragons of the World, 1938 edition:

Phoenix:

The brilliant but elusive Phoenix is testament to the extent to which dragons, despite their innate advantages, are, in the end, at the mercy of the human societies they live around and within. Native to the deserts and mountains of Arizona and northern Mexico, the Phoenix is today one of the rarest dragons in the world. Associated since time immemorial with the Aztec, Pueblo, Hopi, and other Indian tribes of the American Southwest, the Phoenix thereby earned itself the enmity of every other nation or group with a vested interest in the region. The Mexicans, Texans, Californians, and Americans have all played their part in the depletion of this majestic beast, but it was the infamous "purgation" campaign of 1884 by the Orthodox Nation of Deseret that reduced the Phoenix, finally, to near-extinction. For five years, Deseret dragonslayers roamed about the unsettled heartlands of the Phoenix' range, exterminating them and all other dragonbreeds with extreme prejudice, 'cleansing' the entire Grand Canyon, formerly the center of the Phoenix' habitat, and annihilating the entire breed, save for a few scattered dragons who lived deep in the mountains of southern Arizona and Sonora. Other, hardier dragons such as the American Reaper, Texas Longhorn, and Golden Mountaineer took their toll as well, and by the turn of the century, it was feared the Phoenix might become extinct forever.

That it did not, was less a matter of conservation, and more a matter of sport. American dragonbreeders, looking for bloodstock to compete with the famed racing breeds of Europe and Asia, managed to acquire a small number of Phoenixes, and found, to their surprise, that the simple, innocent beasts were top quality racing dragons, their immensely powerful wings capable of propelling them to astonishing speeds. The Phoenix therefore endured as a niche dragon, seen occasionally on the international dragonracing circuit, in what remains of their native homeland, and once in a long while, in the military of one of the many powers whose interests include Arizona.

Phoenixes are brilliant, breathtaking dragons, well-fitting their name, colored in scales of shining gold and orange, with fiery red hindquarters and wings that taper to rich violet hues. Their wings shimmer in the sunlight, giving them the impression of being wreathed in flames. Small-to-average in size for a midweight, Phoenixes have long, broad wings with enhanced tendons and musculature, that enables them to soar through the air at racing speeds, though they lack the fine motor control that enables slower breeds to perform intricate maneuvers. Their claws are small and blunt, better suited at seizing prey than fighting other dragons, but are more than compensated for by majestic, crenelated horns which they can use to ram other dragons at high speeds, impaling and discarding them in one swift motion. Their streamlined body and re-enforced skull has a price however, for Phoenixes have braincases some 25% smaller than other dragons. In consequence, Phoenixes range from stupid to maddeningly stupid. They are either incapable or nearly so of properly gauging personal danger, a trait which has greatly contributed to their near extinction. They can obey only the simplest of commands, and then only with much explanation and repetition, and are slow to learn, slow to think, and left to their own devices, slow to act. The few Phoenixes employed by air forces require sure and steady captains, able to compensate for their sheer bloody-minded idiocy.

[Avian Obscurities]

When you do Guam, you have to include Palau too, as per my bias as whats been previously explained to you. Just sayin. ;)

[Avian Obscurities]

Phoenixes have long, broad wings...that enables them to soar through the air at racing speeds

Err, actually that would be vastly incorrect. Due to the air passing over more surface area, the wider the wing, the more turbulence it creates. The faster the speed, the more pronounced the turbulence, and the more drag it creates. This is why falcon wings are long and NARROW toward the tip. They still have EXTREME power (theyre surprisingly heavy for their size, for birds), its just concentrated at the pectorals and base of the wing. (They can also reduce turbulence-drag by pulling the wings in at higher speeds, leaving less surface area, just like some fighter jets do.)

[General Havoc]

THERE WILL BE NO BIOLOGY IN THIS THREAD, DAMN YOU!

*Grumbles* I'll adjust as needed. The principles remain the same. Phoenixes are racing dragons, high speed, low maneuverability, very low intelligence. All else is fluff :)

[Avian Obscurities]

I AM ABOVE THE LAW!

[Cynical Cat]

If you think this is bad, you should see me correct people in Dark Ages Vampire. Of course, I'm usually the Storyteller so it's probably less annoying . . .

[Charon]

If you think this is bad, you should see me correct people in Dark Ages Vampire. Of course, I'm usually the Storyteller so it's probably less annoying . . .

There've been a few times you've corrected me. I don't think it's been too bad though.

[LadyTevar]

Phoenixes have long, broad wings...that enables them to soar through the air at racing speeds

Err, actually that would be vastly incorrect. Due to the air passing over more surface area, the wider the wing, the more turbulence it creates. The faster the speed, the more pronounced the turbulence, and the more drag it creates. This is why falcon wings are long and NARROW toward the tip. They still have EXTREME power (theyre surprisingly heavy for their size, for birds), its just concentrated at the pectorals and base of the wing. (They can also reduce turbulence-drag by pulling the wings in at higher speeds, leaving less surface area, just like some fighter jets do.)

See, this is why I've always said that Jebediah's wings are falcon-like, for the speed and manueverability

[frigidmagi]

THERE WILL BE NO BIOLOGY IN THIS THREAD, DAMN YOU!

I could start taking the history brawls public to distract you if you like

[General Havoc]

History I will argue forever. Biology is a subject that I A: Know nothing about, and B: Cannot be followed to its logical conclusion without torpedoing the very premise of the game.

[Avian Obscurities]

And yet....you do so love to regail endlessly on your trip to africa, lecturing me COUNTLESS times on the biology of hippos. I KNOW THE BIOLOGY OF HIPPOS!!

[Haizu]

Well now that everybody is clear on the aspects of the Phoenix, am I good to go?

[Avian Obscurities]

Sorry for my delay in posting, ive been working almost nonstop on my thesis for DAYS. Havoc and I discussed this turn of events in the actions of my character, and I eagerly await what he'll do with it.

[Dark Silver]

Stuka's have the Divine Wind...

damn Lien...

[General Havoc]

DS, Lien died in 1870, in the Second Afghan War.

If you don't believe me, ask Fulminatus...

[Dark Silver]

I never believe the GM!

or his NPC's....


because i know I would lie to my PC's...

[Cynical Cat]

I never believe the GM!

or his NPC's....


because i know I would lie to my PC's...

That's the attitude of a good Vampire or Dark Heresy player.

[Charon]

genhavoc: That's something to worry about if you make it through this fight.
IRWriter86: Pfft. If?
genhavoc: Did er... you finish reading yet?
*A bit later*
IRWriter86: *cracks his knuckles*
IRWriter86: Like I said before. "Pfft. If?"
genhavoc: You finished then?
IRWriter86: Yep.
genhavoc: You er... do realize what that was, yes?
IRWriter86: Yep.
genhavoc: I mentioned that only two dragons present had ever heard that noise before. You're one of them.
IRWriter86: I know.
IRWriter86:
genhavoc: And if ONE Stuka can do it...
genhavoc: well...
IRWriter86: You like stating the obvious...
genhavoc: You seem to be unaware of the obvious, therefore I state it.
IRWriter86: No, I'm aware. But this is Kunja and Jake. The Stukas just went from challenge to bigger challenge.
genhavoc: There comes a time when "bigger challenge" becomes synonymous with "certain death"

I'm just amazed he hasn't figured out how Kunja and Jake work yet.

[Jason_Firewalker]

Well at least Janni isnt in this fight, albiet I would like to be in some ways, taking on the "Divine Wind"

[Haizu]

Captain Name: Jacob "Jake" Brink
Captain Age: 24
Dragon Name: Skai
Dragon Breed: Pheonix
Dragon Age: 12

Physical Description of Captain: Almost 5'11", with blonde hair, blue eyes and a natural athlete, Jake is by definition the all-american kid in appearance. Although quite popular with the sports community and girls, Jake generally kept to himself and preferred to practice flight maneuvers with Skai or martial arts.

Background of Captain: Originally born in Maine, Jake and his family moved around quite alot due to both his parents being in the military. Both his parents being accomplished captains, they participated in the California Revolutions. During a patrol, Jake's father came across a group of smugglers attempting to carry off a bundle of Pheonix eggs. Between him and his fellow captains, they were able to take out the smugglers and secure the eggs. Filing one as "lost", he gave it to Jake for his 12th birthday which was only a few days later. Skai was born and the bond instantly took place. Although not exactly the brightest of the bunch (not even close actually), Jake's enormous resevoir of patience has made Skai into an excellent scout and blitz fighter, as well as a part-time racer. Unable to conform to the spit and polish of the military, and much to the dismay of his parents, Jake and Skai went into the mercenary business in the unruly territories of the southwest. When word of the war in the east reached their ears, the duo decided it was time to take their skills to the next level and join in on the war effort.

Physical and Personality Description of Dragon: Skai is a dragon of few words, Jake being the only one he ever really converses with. Of average middleweight size, Skai is 40 feet long, 20 tons in weight, and has about a 45 foot wingspan. Living up to the name of his breed, his body is all colors of the fabled creature that they are named after.

[General Havoc]

Charon, while the old man on the Crimson Angel is famous in our world, and there are no doubt many in this world who would know him, there's no way either Kunja or Jake could possibly recognize him.

[LadyTevar]

Havoc just got out of the hospital, so the GM post will be delayed.

[Jason_Firewalker]

Alright with Jake's radio call going out I am hereby requesting to join the battle