DarkheartOne/FourthAgeDBDecree

In the beginning of their rebellious little escapade, the Five Dragons had found suitable mates and went about putting their plan into action; in short time, each of the Five had five children to call their own, but it was only a matter of time before they began to squabble and jockey for power most violently, upsetting their godly parents. Thus, one fateful day, the Five handed their children a slab, made of the five Jades fused seamlessly together, bearing what would eventually be known as the Unified Dragons' Decree.

The commands were simple, and at the beginning, the young godlings followed them to the letter---the fact that their Parents watched over them constantly helped keep them on the right track. Over time, however, the Dragons of the Fourth Age have allowed various interpretations of the edicts to become accepted, for better and for worse.

The Lesson of Fire

• "Master your emotions. Burn rarely, but burn brighter than the Sun himself."

The initial intent was meant to make certain that the Dragons' brood only gave themself to potentially-destructive passions when there was no other option. Originally, this was followed to the letter, moreso than any other decree; at the time, the Blooded were few and far between, and the Incarna were Exalting people at a rapid clip. This rule isn't followed with anything close to the same level of strictness as it demanded in the beginning, but is generally kept... outside of the Island.

Inside, tempers flare often and sometimes with explosive results. Even in the structured nature of the Imperial Order, the daily battle for personal power and clan supremacy can make for frayed nerves and ignited tempers. Thankfully, few incidents come to blows; unfortunately, few grudges are dropped, even down the generations. The most famous example of this is the seemingly-eternal rivalry between Clans Autol and Rykol.

The Lesson of Wood

• "Honor your Blood. Pay respects to the deceased, and bring honor to the living."

There is little wiggle room in this Decree, but many try nonetheless to find ways to poke holes in it, as well as use it to smother enemies. The Decree (as Jylis personally stated; such clarification is rare) demanded respect even for the ignoble dead, but in the modern day, doing so has a tendency to have the Dynast painted as being sympathetic to whatever their ancestor perpetrated. At the same time, some refuse to show respect and common courtesy to friends, stating that they have been slighted in some manner and are not obligated to respect someone who cannot respect them equally. Elders roll their eyes; the younger take notes.

The Lesson of Air

• "Know your station. Serve those above with gladness, treat those below with respect."

Perhaps the most-violated Decree, the Lesson of Air is followed only on the outside by those who are willing to go the extra amoral mile to rise above others---or keep those below them down. Outward shows of dutifulness and obedience hide poisoned mead, political manueverings, and conspiracy that borders on the neurotic. Power corrupts, but only what the quest for power hasn't already gotten to.

On the other end, treating one's lessers with respect is easy to get away with when those that have the power to do something about improper (and downright mean-spirited) treatment turn a deaf ear. Also, this rule has been interpreted to only apply to the Dynasty; those outside, from beggars to self-proclaimed kings, are nothing compared to those of Blood.

The Lesson of Water

• "Press your limits. Find and fortify your weaknesses, while also testing your strengths."

To be a Dragon in a world of Exalts is a dangerous thing; the First Dragons did not hide the fact that the Chosen of the Gods were, on a one-to-one basis, stronger than the Blooded. But they were also stuck in the roles and ways that their heavenly masters had given them; the Five only influenced from afar, allowing their Brood to mold themselves as they saw fit once the foundations of the Empire were set.

By their nature, Oceanbloods treat this tenet like the holiest of scriptures, always finding means to improve and grow. In general, the Dynasts do follow it, but many find themselves only building on their strengths and falling into the rut of familiarity and comfort. Still, the Dragons dare; they have no choice but to, in the Age of Reason.

The Lesson of Earth

• "Nurture your Essence. Find the point of balance within, then achieve harmony without."

Much of the Dynasty's military training revolves around finding inner peace; meditation, eating regimens and spiritual quests were used alongside sparring, drills and live excursions. Pasiap himself said that 'the hand that does not shake will strike true, and the hand through which Essence flows cleanly will not falter'.

Of course, many in the more recent generations find the more complex Essence-centering practices dull, and are more in tune with combat as the major focus in their training. This dismays the elder Dragons, as they see that fewer Blooded are entering the fields that required intense Essence study and control, including sorcery and martial arts. For now, it is not an issue, but the elders won't live forever.

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