DNN2

  "Do you think we'll see much from the new-look Lautern this year? Popular opinion is that they're on the back foot right now."

  "They won the world championship last year, Sam."

  "Feran Andoal won the world championship, and he's moved on. As a team, Lautern came fourth. You have to admit it's a little embarrassing to drop behind Augir for the first time in seven years. Last time Andoal took the title, Lautern took the teams trophy too."

  "It was a bad year for them, for sure. But one could say it's good to see Augir back in the top three, the sport needs those younger teams."

  "Ever the optimist, Terry. But let's talk about the all-new Lautern lineup. Andoal and Corredeira have moved on, Watson and Starlight are out of the sport after a torrid performance last year, and in their place we have two rookie riders, Nikita Coro and Lyonne Ertku, and two yearling drakes, Incandesia and Phosphora, clutchmates from the famous Phoenix ranch down in the Carthadian desert."

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  "No expense spared on the names, to be sure."

  "Hah. These have to be two of the biggest dragons we've ever seen enter the sport, right?"

  "Could be. They're mighty creatures, and I know the stable, they'll be well-prepared."

  "No expense spared at all in that department. Is it a cost-saving, then, to bring in rookie riders? Is that a weakness?"

  "You know better than to ask that, Sam. We've both watched Niki and Lyonne come up through juniors. They're both junior champions. They were even teammates their first year in Carthagia, back in '50."

  "You're right, I'd forgotten that. That was a hell of a year in the rookie wyverns, too. So you're optimistic for their chances this year?"

  "Very, they might be the most exciting team on the grid. Just what the sport needs."

  "Can they be competitive with things so tight at the top?"

  "Absolutely. I'll eat firewood if we don't see them both on the podium before long."

  "Race wins?"

  "Always a tall ask- a big ask, for a rookie. But the drakes are strong, and I expect great things."

  Tuesday: DNN2 - supplement (335 words)

  Wednesday: Brynna - major update (601 words)

  Thursday: DNN2 - supplement (357 words)

  Friday: Phoebe - major update (2371 words)

  Sunday: Ian - minor update (613 words)

  articles from a sports website covering dragon racing, if you want a broader perspective on the lore, the world and the sport.

  First race: Buildup starts June 2nd, race day June 9th

  Second race: Buildup starts June 10th, race day June 16th

  Third race: Buildup starts June 17th, race day June 23rd

  Fourth race: Buildup starts June 26th, race day July 7th

  Fifth race: Buildup starts July 8th, race day July 20th

  Sixth race: Buildup starts July 22nd, race day 4th August

  Seventh race: Buildup starts 5th August, race day 12th August

  Eighth race: Buildup starts 13th August, race day 18th August

  Ninth race: Buildup starts 19th August, race day 25th August

  Tenth race: Buildup starts 26th August, race day 1st September

  Mid-season break: 4th-8th September

  Eleventh race: Buildup starts 9th September, race day 15th September

  Twelfth race: Buildup starts 16th September, race day 22nd September

  Thirteenth race: Buildup starts 23rd September, race day 6th October

  Fourteenth race: Buildup starts 7th October, race day 13th October

  Fifteenth race: Buildup starts 14th October, race day 20th October

  Sixteenth race: Buildup starts 23rd October, race day 27th October

  Seventeenth race: Buildup starts 30th October, race day 10th November

  Final race: Buildup starts 11th November, race day tbd (likely 1st week in December)