Dragons




Mod Note: While the lore here is very descriptive towards the Dragons, we are not accepting characters of this background. This is merely for an understanding of the creatures we're using as one of our main 'big bads'. These characters will be used on an NPC basis by the mods. We've decided this on the reason that having Dragons hidden in the city makes movements for Elves in an Elven city next to impossible without ruining the game for Dragon writers. Therefore, we've opted to keep the Dragons as NPCs only.
While many believe Dragons to be purely bestial in form, they are a type of a shape-shifter which favor the dauntingly large reptilian shape over their less used (and much smaller) humanoid one. Though they are an intelligent species, much of their culture is dedicated to the likes of destruction, warfare and dominion over their own kind. Males are the most prolific in these actions, with females being less driven towards acts of rage and brutality - though not being immune to them altogether.

In light of this, it is safe to say that Draconian culture is very barbaric. There is constant infighting between various groups, and even within the closest of the territorial clans. While males are responsible for most of this bloodshed among their own kind, the females take most of the burden of their Nests. They will weed out the weak among the clutches; often times killing the young which they do not deem strong enough. It is seen as a Mother's mercy, sparing them the extreme harshness which their life would become if they were too weak to face it. Hybrids of other species and Dragons are unheard of, as most Dragons do not seek sexual relations outside of their own kind. There is also the fact that Dragons are born in their reptilian form, and not the humanoid one.

Throughout their existence, Dragons have been hunted by other species as a show of strength within various cultures. Others have given chase due to the destructive natures shown by the Dragons they've come in to contact with. Few have given them any grounds on which to improve their viewpoints; the Dragons soon being seen as nothing but dangerous beasts of the world by many who've encountered them. Of course, this brought retaliation on the Dragon's front - with many different tribes of the Dragonkin attacking settlements of other species which cropped up near their various and vastly ranging homelands. Due to this, many Dragons are highly cautious and aggressive when it comes to any outside of their known kith and kin. It is rare to see a Dragon having much to do with anything outside of their own species - at least when it doesn't involve destruction.

In recent times, they've been receiving a great deal of contact from the Dream Wraiths. At first given much scrutiny, hostility and hesitation; these meetings are deep secrets, sometimes falling through the cracks when one Draconian Leader is defeated by a rival. However, much of the damage seen throughout the country side lately has been due to this rising partnership. The relationship is seen as a necessary evil on both sides, though stronger bonds are being tended to by the most dedicated individuals in both camps.

Dragons must sleep every three days for fifteen hours, though many have been known to push themselves further and sleep for less time - all in order to show their strength to those surrounding them.

Dragon lifespans are known to reach towards 1,500 years - though it is rare to see one at such an advanced stage of life. The most common ages survived to range from 500 to 900, depending upon the individual's strength and cunning.

Dragons & Magic

A form of shape-shifting creatures who very rarely announce their 'other' selves to those outside their own species. All Dragons have the ability to shift in to a human-like form; appearing very much in all ways like said fellow mortals. However, they often have a tell-tale spattering of scales somewhere on their person which is not always so simple to conceal. All Dragons have one form of elemental magic, though it is only seen in their true, bestial form. (Spurting of fire, ice, etc.) No Dragon has more than one element. Unlike the Dream Wraiths, Dragons have no ability with common magic and are unable to mask their auras from other creatures who might sense them. They are much more vulnerable in their human forms.

Dragons & Religion

Like the Dwarves and the Dream Wraiths, Dragons hold veneration for ancestors and heroes. However, there is also a respect for the forces of Nature as well - though it is not seen to be as strong as it is within Elven, Faerie and Human communities. Draconian values stem from force and strength, with elemental aspects being respected for their power. The likes of natural disasters are seen as the vengeance or upset of Draconian ancestors - or indeed, the vengeance of their slain foes. Draconian understanding seeks strength in others outside of their own species, no matter their levels of xenophobia. To defeat an unworthy adversary is nothing to be proud of, after all. However, this thought process does not often factor in to their actions where the destruction of cities and attacks on other species are involved. Dragons often view these acts as their right, especially considering the way that Dwarves and Humans have hunted them over the years. The bodies of 'petty foes' hold no interest for them - outside of food, as it takes a remarkable amount of damage to turn a Dragon's head towards respect.

Sacrifice of the weaker members of their tribes is not uncommon practice among the Dragon-kin. It is seen in the Nests, declared 'Mother's Mercy', but it often ties in to religious ideals. The thought process gears towards a return to what made them, and seeks to give them sanctuary with the Heroes and Ancestors that came before them. To a Dragon, the only time for true peace is when one is dead and they are with their kin and their respected slain foes. However, often these sacrifices also tie in to cannibalism - with an outlook of the weak sustaining the strong; much as they see their eating of members of other species.

The burial of their Heroes also tends to take this pathway, though instead of the entire body of the fallen being eaten - they tend to strip the muscles from the bone to ingest the strength of the deceased Dragon. The rest of the remains are then taken to either an active volcano if there are any in the region, or to a hot spring - there to be taken back to the world from which it sprang. Those Dragons who do not meet the standards of great Heroes are not consumed; though they are buried with honor and remembrance in unoccupied valleys - or under the remains of cities which have been recently sacked.