Welcome, Dear Visitor
You have arrived at the Cindervail Dragon Egg Registry, the most comprehensive and authoritative record of dragon lineage in the known world. Established in the Year of our Lord 1894 by the esteemed Dr. Percival Cindervail III, this institution has dedicated itself to the preservation, documentation, and celebration of these magnificent creatures and their precious eggs.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a dragon in possession of a good egg must be in want of a proper registry. For you see, dear reader, dragons are not merely beasts of scale and flame—they are creatures of remarkable intelligence, complex social structures, and, as we have come to learn, a most particular approach to lineage.
The Cindervail Dragon, known to the learned as *Draco cindervallis*, was first documented in the misty valleys of the Cindervail region, where the peculiar geothermal activity creates an environment most suitable for egg incubation. Unlike their more bellicose cousins, the Cindervail Dragon has evolved a most civilised temperament, preferring the delicate art of conversation to the crude practice of pillaging.
A Brief History of the Registry
The Founding
Dr. Percival Cindervail III, having spent fifteen years among the dragons of the Cindervail Valley, establishes the Registry in a small stone cottage in the village of Piddlesworth. The first entry records "Emberclaw the Dignified," a mature female of remarkable patience who tolerated the Doctor's presence with remarkable forbearance.
The Great Hatching Census
Following an unusually warm summer, a record forty-seven eggs hatched in the Cindervail Valley. Dr. Cindervail, assisted by his faithful housekeeper Mrs. Pumpernickel, documented each hatching with meticulous detail. This year remains known among dragon scholars as "The Year of the Infernal Paperwork."
The Difficult Years
During the Great War, the Registry operated from a converted railway carriage in the Scottish Highlands, after Dr. Cindervail determined that dragons, being sensible creatures, had no wish to participate in human conflicts. Several eggs were safeguarded in the cellars of sympathetic public houses throughout the war years.
The Discovery of the Crimson Lineage
A previously unknown lineage of Cindervail Dragons is discovered in a remote cave system in Wales. The "Crimson Line," as it came to be known, exhibited a distinctive ruby colouration in their eggs, previously thought impossible. The discovery required significant revision of Dr. Cindervail's original taxonomic work.
The International Recognition
The Registry receives official recognition from the International Confederation of Dragonologists. The ceremony, held at the Royal Society, was nearly disrupted when a sample egg began to hatch prematurely, producing a small but enthusiastic dragon who took a particular liking to the Dean's spectacles.
The Computerisation
Under the direction of Dr. Eleanor Cindervail (granddaughter of the founder), the Registry's records were transferred to a sophisticated computer system. The transition was not without incident—the lead programmer was obliged to wear protective clothing after an egg decided his desk made an excellent incubation spot.
The Centenary Celebration
The Registry celebrated its centenary with a grand gathering of dragon enthusiasts from around the world. A memorial plaque was placed at the original cottage in Piddlesworth, and the current Registrar, Professor Marcus Cindervail, gave a moving speech about the importance of proper documentation.
The Digital Age
The Registry launched its online presence, making records accessible to dragon enthusiasts worldwide. The transition was overseen by the current Head Registrar, Dr. Victoria Ashworth-Cindervail, who insisted that certain traditional elements (including the ritual tea service at 4 PM) be maintained regardless of technological advancement.
The Present Day
The Registry continues its noble work from its headquarters in the Cotswolds, maintaining records on over 2,300 documented dragon lineages. The annual Hatching Festival draws visitors from around the globe, and the Registry's educational programmes continue to inspire new generations of dragonologists.
Notable Dragon Lineages
Emberclaw the Dignified
The first dragon recorded in the Registry. Known for her exceptional patience with human documentation efforts and a fondness for Earl Grey tea, which she consumed in remarkable quantities.
Pyrrhus the Unconventional
Discovered in the Welsh caves of 1933, Pyrrhus was named for his unusual habit of reciting Welsh poetry during egg incubation. His lineage produced some of the most artistically-inclined dragons on record.
Willowshade the Contemplative
Known for her unusually philosophical disposition, Willowshade spent much of her life in deep thought, occasionally forgetting to breathe fire for weeks at a time. Her offspring are noted for their scholarly pursuits.
Nebulon the Inscrutable
A dragon of profound mystery, Nebulon was known to appear and disappear with the mists. His eggs were said to glow faintly at night, leading to their use as reading lamps by several generations of Registry staff.
On the Nature of Dragon Eggs
The Cindervail Dragon egg is a marvel of natural engineering. Unlike the eggs of lesser creatures, the dragon egg possesses a shell of remarkable resilience, capable of withstanding temperatures that would reduce a common chicken egg to vapour. The shell's colouration is determined by the dragon's lineage, with each family exhibiting its own distinctive pattern.
"It has been my observation, over many years of close study, that a dragon egg is not merely a container for the developing creature within, but a profound statement of intent by the universe itself. Each egg is a promise of fire, a declaration that wonder still exists in the world, and a reminder that some mysteries are worth protecting." — Dr. Percival Cindervail III, "Observations on the Ovum Draconis" (1906)
The incubation period for Cindervail Dragon eggs is notably variable, ranging from eighteen months to, in one remarkable case, forty-seven years. The Registry maintains strict records of incubation conditions, parental involvement, and the inevitable temper tantrums that occur when an egg is disturbed during particularly sensitive phases of development.
It should be noted that dragon eggs are not, despite popular belief, particularly valuable as cooking implements. Dr. Cindervail's early experiments in this area resulted in the loss of his favourite saucepan and a rather stern conversation with Emberclaw regarding appropriate use of Registry property.
Register a Dragon Egg
If you are in possession of a Cindervail Dragon egg and wish to have it properly documented, please complete the following form. The Registry takes its responsibilities most seriously.