Wingbinders

"Healthy dragons think that binding a wing is cruel. Just wait until they break them though. They will gladly change their mind then."

— Amanth Aether - Wingbinder

Wingbinder

is a profession related to Dragons or Gryphons who aim their life towards healing injuries, curing diseases, supervising egg-laying and hatching or mending broken bones. The name comes from one of the specific actions these "apothecaries" perform, which is binding broken wings so fractured bones can mend correctly. Patient's wings are bound so that he or she cannot unbind them alone and injure themselves even more.

Career

Qualifications

Young dragons or gryphons are supervised and taught by senior Wingbinders for a period of about 3 years. During that time they serve as assistants to their master.

Career Progression

1. Apprentice Wingbinder
- Very young dragons/gryphons who are learning the very basics of the craft.
2. Junior Wingbinder
- Dragons/gryphons who know all the basics of medicine and can treat lesser injuries or maladies and assist Senior Wingbinders effectively.
3. Senior Wingbinders
- Dragons/gryphons who are a well-respected and self-sufficient part of their tribe. They can treat serious injuries, set broken bones, should know the best practices of how to treat most illnesses or relieve their patient's pain. Some Senior Wingbinders may also start practicing Tattooing in their spare time to earn extra gems.
4. Master Wingbinder
- Also known as "Master Binder", these dragons/gryphons are well-known across the tribes and there are generally only a handful of them within each race. Usually employed as Queen's or Noble family's personal healers, their knowledge of maladies is unrivaled and their expertise is extremely sought after. It is of course also very expensive. Those that become Master Binders tend to be the trend-setters for dealing with illnesses and they use their vast knowledge to try and find cures for illnesses known and obscure.

Payment & Reimbursement

All Wingbinders enjoy a fairly high pay in gems for their services and generally also get to eat at Dusk feasting for free.

Other Benefits

Wingbinders generally enjoy more freedom in their practices and free time. Even in societies with strict monogamy like Fire dragons a Wingbinder breaking the unwritten rules here and there would be tolerated because of the importance in their line of work. Food and water are also supplied to them when necessary by their assistants or specifically assigned Dragons or Gryphons of lower station.

Perception

Purpose

Wingbinders primary concetn is to ensure that everyone in the tribe is safe, healthy and in top physical condition.

Social Status

Generally very well regarded by all draconic species and gryphons. Amongst Mud dragons they are likely to attain the role of Matriarch sooner

Demographics

Around 2%, but varies from species to species

History

The need for medical assistance has been required since ancient times. As soon as first creatures started to walk the Continent, those with nimbler claws, compassion and desire to help others stood out as absolutely vital to any fledgling tribe.
Over the time, medicine has improved, whereas before broken wings meant being landbound for life, now techniques of how to set bone right and properly apply the correct ointments spread far and wide. What was previously uncurable has been at least prevented from further spreading and at best cured althogether.
Despite the successes of Wingbinders' medicine, one particular epidemy has thus far eluded even the most brilliant of Master Wingbinders - Witlessness. The only cure known is effective only when applied early during infection or preventatively in advance, and those that can't be healed are doomed to a life of feral savagery...
...Unless a cure is found. Recent discoveries suggest the key may be hiding within the blood of Water dragons who seem completely immune to Witlessness. But no-one has thus far figured out a complete cure.

Operations

Tools

Clean bandages (made of whichever material is available in the area), mortar and pestle for ointments, various herbs, bindings (generally made from vines or animal entrails), wood splinters for bone fractures, alcohol (for disinfection), The flute, salts.

Workplace

The usual workplace of a Wingbinder is inside a cave or underground with enough light to see but to hide injured patients within a safe, dry and warm area. They tend to be situated on the outskirts of where the clans/families live for injured/sick creatures don't tend to be the quietest neighbours.

Provided Services

Tattoos - Some Wingbinders who also possess artistic talent may additionally be willing to perform invasive tattoos or deep-feather painting. Such a service is considered a luxury and many a dragon or gryphon may save up for months and travel for days to aquire one such tattoo.
Body paint - While it is specifically Purveyor's - dyers job to mix the chemicals and colors for body pain. Oftentimes precise patterns and nimble claws are needed to apply it onto an individual. Many dragons or gryphons who do not wish to pay can simply paint themselves or with help of their friends, but those that are willing to get a professional job can always ask a Wingbinder. It is also a good first step for those who are considering a tattoo to first try it out.

Dangers & Hazards

Being extremely unfortunate and making a crucial mistake may result in the Wingbinder to lose his/her station. Even Wingbinders accompanying an attack/raid force who do not wish to take part in the confrontation directly may specifically be targeted by the enemy and suffer injuries or be killed as a result. A devious leader will make sure their enemy has no way to recuperate their wounds, especially in drawn-out conflicts.

Wingbinder tattoo

Senior Wingbinders bear this mark upon their left shoulder as a sign of their station

Alternative Names

Apothecary, Healer, Binder

Type

Healthcare

Demand

High demand, it is not uncommon for several smaller tribes/families to share one Wingbinder

Legality

Not everyone can be a Wingbinder. Senior Wingbinders themselves must agree upon accepting a former assistant into their ranks. If for any reason they deem one not being worthy for any reason, he/she may repeat the plea one year later.

Breaking the rule

Anyone claiming to be a Wingbinder who is not may be expelled or even executed, depending on the amount of damage they have done.