The planet is alive
There are a number of references to the planet and the planet’s power in Gordon’s Pride but to clarify, yes the planet is alive, thinks, has power and interacts with her people. Traditionally her people were the dragons. The planet has power of her own, in fact has all the power, and shares it with the plants and animals. As her chosen people, the dragons share a bond of exchanged power with the planet. When they are first born, they have no power and no connection, but as they grow, eat and live on the planet a small collection of power forms. As the individual gains power, they connect to the planet and exchange energy, with more power coming from the planet. This establishes the first exchange of power and introduces the planet to the individual.