Species and Races > Dragonkin
Dragonkin
Ever elusive, the Dragonkin live high in the mountains of Shil’vikas in Kerios, their settlements near impossible to reach without the ability to fly. Living as long as 500 years old, and speaking a Draconian dialect, they are wary of outsiders, for they fear another war— whether it be all encompassing like the War of Skulls or simply between two rival kingdoms— could wipe out their small civilization.
Dragonkin are the descendants of a splinter group of both elves and dragons who, when faced with dual extinction in the war between their species, decided to bind themselves to each other. This desperate ritual combined their powers and linked their souls— and the souls of their children— and created the Dragonkin species as they’re known today. Each Draconic species that created a bond resulted in five different clan-like subspecies within the Dragonkin, each with differing cultural quirks and biological abilities.
Training
Education
Education is an important part of Dragonkin culture, relying on a mix of oral tradition, Mentor-Apprentice relationships, and visually recorded history. Younglings are taught in groups of five to ten how to read and write, as well as the legends and stories that form the basis of Dragonkin history. These “broods” often grow up together and remain close friends throughout their lives. Earrings are given to younglings as a symbol of reaching adolescence, which is achieved when they first solidify their connection with their ancestors and summon their draconic wings.
After reaching adolescence, each child is chosen by a mentor to pursue a certain field, usually joining their aerie’s militia, Dracon’s Scholars, or the Greenleaf Order. They also can go into the Trades and search for a Crafts- or Tradesman for a mentor. Adolescents become adults after their final tests during training, where they often receive an heirloom of their family to use &/or protect, and a role to play among their family or community’s hierarchy.
Scholars
Dracon’s Scholars are a group of storytellers and intellectuals who record history, preserve records, and research more about the magical arts and artifacts left behind by their ancestors. Named after their founder, they are dedicated to keeping the culture of the Dragonkin alive and well, teaching younglings from each of the subspecies, and preserving the secrets of their species.
The Scholars teach and tell tales through dramatic productions, songs, and written stories. They are often diligent, curious, and charismatic, with apprentices training under Master Scholars for at least five years. During this time, apprentices are often responsible for making copies of documents or weaving tapestries depicting important historical events. In addition, they learn bits and pieces of Artificer magic to help ensure their records remain in top condition.
Combat
The Dragonkin as a whole don’t have a formal military so much as each settlement has a small militia made up of hunters and scouts. They seek out food and resources outside the aeries while patrolling and guarding their territorial borders. Militia members are often athletic, strong willed, confident, and protective.
Aerie militias are led and taught under Aerie Generals, whom often are given their position through nominations and voting. The militias are trained largely in aerial combat, with skills based around agility, dodging, and critical strikes. Some groups, like the Rougnis, also do lots of hand to hand training that is strike-focused, with lots of kicks as well as punches.
The militias use mostly leather armor because they need to be mobile and have room for their wings. Heavier armor like plate or chainmail is a rarity. They often use more practical weaponry that serves dual purposes, like hunting knives, axes, bows and arrows, and spears or harpoons. The use of light shields and bucklers are also common, especially when hunting bigger game.
Medicine
Dragonkin closely guard their medicinal practices even within their society, training alchemists and healers under the Greenleaf Order— a group founded within Dracon’s Scholars that specializes in medicinal practices. They are well known for their knowledge of nature and ability to survive independently for long periods of time in the wild. Their work is largely based on natural remedies rather than magical ones, and also to discern uses for other alchemical materials. The Greenleaf Order does not reject magical healing practices, but generally regards them as less reliable. Thus, Dragonkin— while resilient— are less knowledgeable about magical wounds.
Daily Life
The majority of Dragonkin are craftspeople and home producers, trading with each other based on a bartering system. Master tradesfolk, as well as members of the militia or Scholars are often regarded with respect, and denoted by their jewelry or armor. Most Dragonkin wear loose layers of woven or knit woolen clothes, not only to keep warm but to leave room for their wings.
Meats, leathers, and fresh fruits are considered extremely valuable due to their mid- to high-altitude climate. This environment means their diets are based largely on root vegetables and meats that can preserved easily. Grains are hard to grow and rarely used except as emergency or celebratory foods. Their isolation also means they rarely trade with other species, so outsiders are regarded with either awe or suspicion.
Government
The Dragonkin operate under a democratic republic, though at times it also takes on aspects of an oligarchy. Each subspecies elects a representative to be part of the High Council, which presides in Dracon’s Aerie. There are also representatives from each of the Esteemed Professions— the Scholars, the militia, and the Greenleafs. Oftentimes, the representatives also are the leaders of their subspecies or organization.
The representatives are elected in different ways depending on the group they speak for. The Rougnis have the most notable “election”— a tournament of strength to determine which of their warriors and hunters should lead their people. More common is the community nominating a few people, and voting on the top three nominees. This method is used by the Hyperem, the Pho’nu, and the Vertin. The Lunasterc choose to follow a more strict and traditional mindset, with one family line being responsible for leading their subspecies and representing them.
The Dragonkin have no formal documentation of their laws or a formal constitution. Most “laws” are tacit, common sense laws that are easily agreeable to. If someone goes to trial over a conflict, they can either appear before their subspecies council— led by their representative— or they may appear before the High Council, with all representatives present. Witnesses are welcome, though non-neutral parties aside from those invited or on trial are asked to refrain from participating.
Religion & Holidays
Dragonkin value stories and the memories of friends and family above all else. To forget or shun someone is worse than death to them, and they highly emphasize oral and visually recorded tradition. Specific rituals are often particular to subspecies or families, but all hold extreme reverence to their ancestors. Growth and learning is celebrated-- events like reaching adolescence and adulthood are each given parties and gifts to the Dragonkin achieving such milestones.
Festival of Stories
The Festival of Stories is a Winter Solstice festival meant to celebrate family, friends, ancestors, and how the world and the Dragonkin came to be. It’s characterized by giving gifts to those one cares for deeply and feasting with family. Oftentimes families come together to perform different tales for each other and sing and dance. The festival lasts for a week, the longest out of the holidays because it is the most important to them. On the last night there’s a ceremony summoning the spirits of the Dragon Ancestors to thank them and let them celebrate as well, and they briefly take corporeal form.
Festival of Lights
The Festival of Lights is a Spring Equinox festival meant to celebrate the coming of warmer weather and the increased daylight, characterized by the use of lots of flowers and dancing, displays of acrobatics, fire stunts, and sweets abound. There’s an informal smoke tricks competition as well, which is loved by many of the Rougnis. The festival lasts for two days. The day of the equinox, the town is fully lit to seem as if it were daytime, and everyone stays up from dawn to dawn, the day after being a day of rest and food. Oftentimes this is when families will hold informal baking competitions, and the best cooks of the aeries are always eager to try their hand at having the winning recipe.
Festival of Hunts
The Festival of Hunts is an Autumn Equinox festival celebrating the end of the hunting season and the boons gathered from the forests and mountains. It is characterized by lots of savory foods and athletic contests; foot and flight races, wrestling tournaments, archery, javelin throwing, etc, as well as showing off and selling trophies of hunts both recent and past. The festival lasts for four days. Day one is a hunt to see who brings back the best trophy and ends with a feast from all the quarry caught. Day two is the beginning of tournaments for all subspecies, which goes until the championship events all on day three, and day four is a Rougnis exclusive tournament to decide the Rougnis Council Representative. Awards from the aerie militias are also commonly gifted during this festival.
Day of Flames
The Day of Flames is a Summer Solstice holiday to remember the dead and offer them comfort with the Ancestors. When a Dragonkin dies, they are cremated with a small part of their ashes being buried under their family’s house while the rest is scattered to the winds each year over the course of a decade at the Day of Flames. Every able Dragonkin takes to the skies with a lantern to carry, symbolizing their life (those unable, such as elders and younglings, circle around the town) and fly to the highest peak-- Mount Notos-- to scatter ashes. If one’s flame goes out, it symbolizes hardships and death to come soon, but if they reach the peak it symbolizes strength and good times ahead. The entire event lasts two days, beginning at dusk and ending at sunset.
Architecture
The architecture of the Aeries is a mix of magically carved marble ruins from the Kerian elves that preceded the Dragonkin, and houses made from a mix of clay, cobblestone, and wood, which are more recent additions by the Dragonkin themselves. These marble building closely resemble greco-roman architecture. Oftentimes, structures use the ruins as a base to build off of, creating a mingled style. The marble structures that remain intact are maintained carefully and used as hatcheries, Master Workspaces, and places of worship or governance.
Subspecies
Multi-species Children
Although not rare, multi-species children are somewhat uncommon among Dragonkin. Children tend to take on species-specific abilities from both parents, and whichever ancestral link is stronger among parents will be the link passed to the child. These abilities can counter each other (Hyperem’s ability to stay at high altitudes vs Pho’nu’s need for more oxygen), pair up without affecting each other (Lunasterc’s hypersensitivity & Pho’nu’s shockwaves), or can bolster each other (Vertin’s venom reacts with Rougnis’ flames to create a hotter and longer-lasting flame).
Vertin (VER-tin)
History and General Info
Vertin came from a line of forest dragons, and are easily recognizable for their bright colors and generally cheery personalities. They have colorful hair ranging from yellow-greens to deep teals, and their wings are generally a similar shade of green with yellow or pink patterns on the insides of their wings. They’re a smaller species, standing around 5’8”-6’2” without their wings or horns, and generally take on medium to dark skin tones. Their horns stand straight, like a gazelle’s.
The Vertin are taught to be confident and proud of who they are, and stand together when any one of them is in danger; their friendships last for life. Loyal, creative, flamboyant, joyful, and celebratory, they tend to use more flashy colors, jewelry, and other creative or colorful things than other subspecies. They often are performers, craftspeople, or Alchemists, using their natural acidic venom for various tasks.
Abilities
Venomous Touch: Vertin can secrete venom from their fingertips, tear ducts, and salivary glands. Younglings develop an immunity very early on, causing their sclera to turn dark. This venom is initially as viscous as water, but becomes more viscous until it achieves a mucus-like consistency when exposed to air over short periods of time. When lit on fire, it burns chemically, becoming nearly impossible to put out.
Wings of Spirit: Like all Dragonkin, they are able to summon their wings based on their spiritual and magical connection to their ancestors.
Locations and Allegiances
Vertin typically form large communes in the forested parts of Shil’vikas, using the greenery as natural camouflage. However, they are also easily found in well-populated Aeries because of how social they are. They are generally amicable to all of the subspecies, but some Vertin and Rougnis families have long-lasting rivalries. To outsiders, they are likely to be suspicious at first, but will open up quickly once the other party is proven trustworthy.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Vertin are immune to their own venom and generally more resistant to other venoms and acids.
Acid is drawn from a Vertin’s stomach. They effectively have an unlimited supply, but they are unable to secrete it for about an hour or two after eating.
Vertin venom occasionally causes mutations, especially when two subspecies have a child. Ex: Nike is shorter than most Dragonkin and cannot control their acid secretion.
A Vertin’s greatest conflict is often learning to think things through instead of reacting on impulse all the time, because spontaneity is encouraged by most Vertin families.
Notable Figures
High Alchemist Renil Namar is the leader and representative of the Vertin, and the most skilled alchemist and healer among the Dragonkin. They are well known for their research on the properties of Dragon’s Bane, a poisonous herb which has pollen that can be fatal to most dragonkin.
Devin Bicaust-Greene is a scout that is part of the infamous Dreamer’s Rebellion. They serve to combat the Court of Thieves and discover what their plans are, as well as watching over and protecting the Herald of Two Flames. Devin themself is also infamous for abandoning their chance to become leader of the Greenleaf Order at the last second.
Rougnis (ROOj-nes)
History and General Info
Rougnis are easily the most intimidating of the subspecies, with wings of all sorts of reddish hues, horns like a ram’s, and standing at 6’3” to 6’10” without their wings or horns. They have paler to medium skin tones, with medium to dark toned hair, from ginger to brunette to pitch black. Descending from the proud sky dragons, their culture values honor, courage, and strength.
Rougnis are taught leadership and team building skills from a young age. Their teachings tend to be more strict and ‘traditional’ than most, encouraging younglings to assert themselves through duels, feats, or challenges. Rougnis can almost always be found as members of the aerie militias as hunters and soldiers. If they’re not in the militia, they take on more physically taxing labors like mining, smithing, and woodworking. Despite these jobs not being as combat oriented, the Rougnis take pride in honorably serving their communities and filling their place in their ordered culture.
Abilities
Flame Breath: Rougnis have inherited the potent flame breath of their sky dragon ancestors, in addition to their resistance to extreme heat. This provides them with an extremely powerful breath weapon and an affinity for flames in general. These flames burn hotter than the average fire, and can be magically enhanced to become difficult to put out.
Wings of Spirit: Like all Dragonkin, they are able to summon their wings based on their spiritual and magical connection to their ancestors.
Locations and Allegiances
Rougnis are most common in western Shil’vikas, near the Flame Isles. They tend to live at medium altitudes and in rocky areas. Their settlements are smaller, oftentimes centered around their specific family lines, with one or two larger towns used as tournament and festival locations. They are somewhat wary of the other subspecies, but generally amicable. They are prone to rivalries with the Vertin due to the other subspecies’ spontaneity. Many Rougnis are openly wary and sometimes hostile to outsiders, and slow to trust them.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Rougnis are resistant to most heat and flames. However, this also makes them more susceptible to the cold.
Rougnis need more oxygen than is generally available at high altitudes to maintain their flame breath.
Rougnis are easily able to be intimidating and tower over others.
Rougnis are taught an extremely strict doctrine of honor, courage, and strength above all. This can make them inflexible and judgmental, as well as stubborn. Overcoming their pride without sacrificing their values can become an extreme obstacle.
Notable Figures
Flamekeeper Endril Arden is the leader and representative of the Rougnis. Head of his line and a fierce warrior, Endril has maintained his title year after year during the Rougnis tournament through both his incredible combat prowess and his fire breath— which burns hotter than average due to a blessing from his ancestors. How he earned this blessing is unknown, but none have been able to replicate it.
Egan Bicaust-Arden is the son of the Flamekeeper, infamous for leaving his family and the Dragonkin behind during one of the Rougnis tournaments. Now, he serves as a scout and member of Dreamer’s Rebellion. They serve to combat the Court of Thieves and discover what their plans are, as well as watching over and protecting the Herald of Two Flames.
Pho’nu (fa-NOO)
History and General Info
Pho’nu are the most populous and common of the Dragonkin. They are of all skin tones, have medium to light brown and blonde hair tones, yellow or orange toned wings, and horns that curve down and inwards like Highland cattle. They are the second largest subspecies, standing at 5’11” to 6’4” without their wings or horns. These grounded, caring Dragonkin are descended from Desert dragons.
The Pho’nu are extremely family oriented, valuing preparedness, compassion, logic, warmth, and stability. They often are dubbed the ‘mom friend’ of their friend groups, and are taught to leave no on behind and let nobody go hungry. Being the most populous of the subspecies, they take up a wide variety of roles, most notably Caretakers, Alchemists, Scholars, chefs, or performers. To them, any way they can help others is a good way to live out life.
Abilities
Shockwake Call: The Pho’nu inherited the ability to produce piercing cries that are powerful enough to create small, directed shockwaves. Much like their desert dragon ancestors, they use this to pick up debris, disorient, or push back opponents. This also makes them naturally louder and able to project their voice over long distances.
Wings of Spirit: Like all Dragonkin, they are able to summon their wings based on their spiritual and magical connection to their ancestors.
Locations and Allegiances
The Pho’nu often live in the deepest parts of the valleys in Shil’vikas, and have the largest settlements of all. Even Dracon’s Aerie was originally a Pho’nu town. They are welcoming to all of the other subspecies, and generally are only superficially suspicious of outsiders. This warm culture makes them welcome among all the other subspecies as well. Because they generally need more oxygen than other subspecies, they have secret footpaths that connect all of their settlements for when they are unable to fly at altitude.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Pho’nu have a greater lung capacity, meaning that they can hold their breath for longer, but they also use more oxygen regularly.
Their large vocal range makes them surprisingly good vocal mimics.
Because they are naturally loud, they have a hard time being stealthy.
Their greatest cultural conflict is often balancing what would be the most compassionate thing to do that would help the most people, and what they need to do in order to take care of themselves.
Notable Figures
Caretaker Ira Orten is the leader and representative of the Pho’nu, and the head caretaker at the Dracon’s Aerie Hatchery. She is renowned for her work as both a teacher and an occasional surrogate mother to orphaned younglings. She is beloved by many, and hated by few, though her main quarrel lies with the Court of Thieves, who keep stealing eggs from her care.
High Sage Jorth Demitrin is the head of the Stained Order of the Inksages. One of the few Pho’nu who left the Aeries to travel and train, High Sage Demitrin is known not only for his incredible prowess as an Inksage, but for his remarkable charisma and how tightly knit his Order is. Rather than treating it as an institution, Demitrin treats his sages like family, guiding his students with a firm but gentle hand, and obliterating anything that would threaten the ones he cares about.
Hyperem (HI-prem)
History and General Info
The smallest of the Dragonkin, the Hyperem stand at only 5’4-5’10”, with striking platinum blonde hair against their medium-toned skin and light blue wings patterned like the sky. Their horns sleekly curve out and back, maximizing their aerodynamics. Often diplomats, scouts, explorers, and merchants, the Hyperem are the most independent of the subspecies, with parents often releasing their children from their care after adolescence rather than once they reach adulthood.
Exploration is in the blood of every Hyperem, it seems, and they value cleverness, independence, and self sufficiency above all else. They love to learn and meet new people, and have a knack for bartering and negotiation. Despite the general wariness of the other species to outsiders, Hyperem often seek them out, taking long, nomadic journeys to explore and gather both tales to tell, and wares to sell.
Abilities
Altitude Aptitude: Hyperem, while seemingly only inheriting their color from their ancestral mountain dragons, are incredibly resistant to the cold and relish high altitudes, being able to fly and glide for days on end, and not requiring as much oxygen as their brethren. This only enables their exploratory spirit.
Wings of Spirit: Like all Dragonkin, they are able to summon their wings based on their spiritual and magical connection to their ancestors.
Locations and Allegiances
The Hyperem are largely nomadic, with few of their kind ever settling down in one place for too long unless a family is expecting a new hatchling. They have small settlements dotting the highest peaks in Shil'vikas, which they stay in for but a few weeks at a time before their caravan moves on. Wary but curious of anyone and everything, they are eager to learn but slow to trust, even to the other subspecies. They have a reputation of being snarky and self-centered, but remain amicable to the rest of the Dragonkin.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The Hyperem’s cold resistance and lessened need for oxygen makes them hardier compared to other subspecies.
In contrast, Hyperem also overheat easily, and become hyperactive or even delirious if they remain in areas saturated with more oxygen than they’re used to for more than a few days.
Their independence makes them slow to trust others, despite their oft friendly and curious demeanor.
Hyperem are sometimes called manipulative because they focus largely on themselves, and many Hyperem struggle with the concept of altruism or generosity, contrasting the Pho’nu’s extreme compassion.
Notable Figures
Highwing Ledrem Skyfire is the leader and representative of the Hyperem, though few aside from the nomadic Hyperem themselves have actually heard from them in recent times. Rumors say they are seeking something rare and powerful, but only have bits and pieces of old stories and lore to go off of. Regardless, their absence is frustrating at best to the other members of the High Council.
Head Scholar Yeri Rainwing is the current head of Dracon’s Scholars, and the caretaker and prime researcher of the Herald of Two Flames for Dreamer’s Rebellion. Acting as one of the Rebellion’s few plants in the aeries, she is also one of the few representatives among the High Council to have maintained open communications with the Inksages. Her goals are unknown, but many of the Hyperem consider her odd for choosing to remain cooped up in her library rather than journeying with her family’s caravan.
Lunasterc (lun-A-sterk)
History and General Info
The least populous and most mysterious of the Dragonkin are the Lunasterc. Rumored by outsiders to be monstrous and vampiric due to their Phantom Dragon ancestors, the Lunasterc are even more reclusive than the rest of the Dragonkin. Their appearance doesn’t help the fearful rumors about their subspecies, with greyscale hair colors and wings that are navy, indigo, and ebon like the night sky. They stand at 5’8” to 6’2” without their wings, and their horns are like those of an ox.
The Lunasterc are almost entirely nocturnal, and generally secretive and observant, afraid of discrimination from other subspecies. They’re taught that there is peace in solitude, but that there is no shame in loneliness and wishing to spend time with others. Oftentimes they are philosophical, creative, and thoughtful, pondering the workings of the world and exploring the possibilities as Scholars, Alchemists, or nighttime scouts.
Abilities
Enhanced Senses: The Lunasterc all possess incredible senses, including sight, smell, hearing, and the capability to commune with spirits more easily. This plays a large role in their nocturnal nature.
Wings of Spirit: Like all Dragonkin, they are able to summon their wings based on their spiritual and magical connection to their ancestors.
Locations and Allegiances
The Lunasterc often create their settlements based around cave systems hidden by the forests of Shil’vikas, and connected by both natural and artificial tunnels to enable day travel. While incredibly wary of the other subspecies, they are willing to show respect to them. They actively avoid outsiders to protect themselves from potentially being hunted.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The Lunasterc’s senses make them incredibly difficult to sneak up on, and also enables them to navigate difficult terrain easily at night.
Their hypersensitivity also makes them vulnerable to extreme noises and light, and they tend to sunburn really badly, really easily.
Their spiritual sense makes them both susceptible to spiritual possession and more skilled at utilizing their spiritual links to their ancestors.
Due to their relative isolation, their biggest cultural conflict is generally communicating with others, being confident, and standing up for themselves, especially in learning to take pride in their abilities.
Notable Figures
Moonrender Rin Iru is the leader and representative of the Lunasterc. She is both a spiritual and practical leader for her people, encouraging them to seek out their ancestral spirits for both aid and advice. She also drew the plans for the network of tunnels connecting the small settlements that the Lunasterc reside in, enabling her people to travel more freely.
Duke Erebus Loreni is a Vampire Lord and ancient, immortal Dragonkin from centuries past. His turning truly began the rumors of the Lunasterc being vampiric monsters, and his corruption all but destroyed his link to his ancestors, and severely damaged the links of his family and descendants. Now, he serves the Court of Thieves, taking residence in his manor Erendame.
High Sage Jiin Yentu is the head of the Arcane Order of the Inksages. One of the only Lunasterc to ever leave Shil’vikas, he discovered his affinity for the Arcane after accidentally devising a spell that would protect his senses and himself from the daytime. He spends the most time at the Valt out of all the other Order leaders, researching new magics to aid the High Warden.