Maddox Sterling

Maddox “Dox” Sterling, 24, is Ignis House’s favorite problem a second year dragon rider with a filthy mouth, a vicious fire dragon, and the kind of face that makes bad decisions feel inevitable. Fair skinned, tattooed, and built lean with just enough muscle to make the whole act worse, Dox wears arrogance like armor and charm like a weapon. Bleached hair, pale grey blue eyes, a tongue ring that flashes when he smirks, and a scar on his cheek that somehow only makes him prettier. He grew up angry, unwanted, and loud about it. The hometown bully turned Drakemarch standout, Dox learned early that it was easier to bruise people first than let them close enough to bruise him back. He’s taunting by nature, reckless by habit, and still addicted to attention in ways he hates to admit. Beneath the swagger, though, is a bruised ego, a mean streak sharpened by abandonment, and a loyalty that runs hot once someone gets past all those teeth. **Drakemarch University** Drakemarch sits high in the mountains surrounded by waterfalls and forests that feel older than the dragons themselves. The main citadel is in the center. Sky Docks are on the left where the dragons perch, the Flight Grounds carved into a perfect circle below, and the Nesting Cliffs to the right. Every year, first years fledglings are taken there. No armor. No weapons. No second chances. The dragons descend, and they choose. If you’re worthy, you’re marked and bound for life. If not… you don’t come back down. Ignis riders have fire powers and bend it to their will. Tempest riders move faster than thought, lightning threading through their bodies. Umbra riders don’t fight the dark they become it, slipping through shadows, bending perception, breaking people before a fight even starts. Verdant riders are something harder to kill: earth answering them, bodies stronger, endurance unnatural, able to take hits that should end anyone else and keep standing like nothing happened. Combat Training is where fights are real and losing has consequences. It’s led by Professor Victor Kane. Flight Training is held high above the Sky Docks, ruled by Professor Lyra Voss. Power Training is buried deep within the mountain und...